- Jared Cannonier got brutally honest in his take on a potential fight with Khamzat Chimaev
- “The Killa Gorilla” is confident his win over Marvin Vettori should make him a title contender
After securing a unanimous decision win over Marvin Vettori at UFC Vegas 75, Jared Cannonier shifted his focus on the title shot and the title shot only. A fight with Khamzat Chimaev could go his way but “The Killa Gorilla” would just say yes if it’s gonna be a title eliminator match.
Jared is not here to Entertain People
Speaking to reporters in his post-fight press conference, Cannonier bluntly pointed out that he is doing all these to entertain people. His goal is to become the middleweight champion and if a showdown with Chimaev wouldn’t guarantee him a title shot, then he is not interested.
“Is that fight get me a title shot? You think so? I don’t know. He’s not even ranked at middleweight, is he?” Cannonier told a reporter when asked about facing Chimaev. “I mean, I know he’s popular, everybody wants to see him do his thing and stuff like that. If they called me and said, ‘Hey, Khamzat for contender’s match?’ That’s a yes.”
“I’m trying to get to the title. I’m not just fighting to entertain you people,” he added. “I know you guys want to see it. I know it would be a good fight. If that gets me the title shot, yes. I just beat No. 3. I’m not looking back, I’m looking forward. I’m looking at the champion. So if Dana [White] and Hunter [Campbell] and them say, ‘He’s between you and the champion,’ that’s something we can talk about. But if you’re saying, ‘Would you fight Khamzat and welcome him to the division?’ I’m like, does that get me to the title? That’s the question I’d have for you.”
No other way but Up
Cannonier has now beaten two top-ranked middleweights since losing to Israel Adesanya in their title fight at UFC 276. For “The Killa Gorilla,” two dominant performances should be enough for the UFC to throw his name into the title mix.
“I feel with my performance, as far as the guys who make that decision go, I’m sure that puts my name well up there in that area,” Cannonier assessed. “I’m not really concerned myself with what may or may not be, I’m just going to focus on the next fight.”
Adesanya will face the winner between Dricus du Plessis and Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. Chimaev, meanwhile, has yet to land an opponent to this day. All told, Cannonier would have to play the waiting game and hope that the UFC decides to put him next in line.
