LAS VEGAS – Jared Cannonier feels he’s on the brink of another shot at the UFC middleweight belt.
The 39-year-old contender picked up a dominant win over fellow veteran Marvin Vetorri in the main event of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 46, which took place at the UFC Apex. And now with two consecutive wins in his under his belt, Cannonier (17-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) is looking for something that pushes him toward the belt.
“I want the title shot,” Cannonier said in his post-fight interview with Paul Felder. “That’s what I’m here for. I’m here to go for the title. I know that they have a contenders match in the books, but I’m willing and ready to step in if anything happens in that title fight coming up or the fight that gives me the title fight. That’s what I want.”
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is expected to defend his belt against the winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus du Plessis on July 8 at UFC 290. Cannonier would like to be the replacement for that bout or fight someone that gets him the next shot at the belt. When asked about a potential fight against Khamzat Chimaev at the post-fight press conference, Cannonier was adamant about his position.
“I’m trying to get to the title,” Cannonier said. “I’m not fighting to just try and entertain you people. I know you guys want to see it. It will be a good fight. If that fight gets me the title shot, then yes. But I’m not looking back. I just beat No. 3. I’m looking at the champion.”
Cannonier isn’t sure what the UFC will have him do next. However, he knows what he wants, and he believes he’s in a good position to get it.
“The way I see the immediate future going is Robert is going to fight Dricus, I know Israel wants to fight Dricus so bad, but I feel with my performance, as far as the guys who make that decision, I’m sure that puts my name well up there in that area,” Cannonier said at the post-fight presser.
“I’m not really concerning myself with what may or may not be. I’m just going to focus on the next fight. I’m going to get back in the gym and get back to getting myself better, get back to improving on my skills.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 46.
