Wow, what an incredible comeback for Jared Cannonier!
In the thrilling main event of UFC Vegas 102, Cannonier found himself in a tough spot, having been knocked down several times in the first round by Gregory Rodrigues. But "The Killa Gorilla" rallied and delivered a stunning fourth-round knockout. This victory halted what could have been Cannonier’s first three-fight losing streak.
Now sitting at the seventh spot in the middleweight rankings, Cannonier faces some intriguing possibilities. Let’s explore what could be next for the 40-year-old fighter.
Paulo Costa: A Matchup Long Overdue
There are certain bouts that make you wonder how they never came to be. Take, for instance, Andrei Arlovski versus Junior Dos Santos—how did that never happen? The same kind of curiosity surrounds a potential matchup between Jared Cannonier and Paulo Costa. Both have been staples in the UFC middleweight division, yet their paths have never crossed inside the octagon.
After this recent win, Cannonier finds himself in a peculiar position. Fighters like Robert Whittaker, Caio Borralho, and Nassourdine Imavov have decisively defeated him. As a result, he might have to face someone ranked a bit lower, but a showdown with an unranked opponent seems unlikely. Paulo Costa, ranked eleventh, offers a compelling challenge—a main event-worthy fight and an exciting stylistic clash.
A Rematch: Jared Cannonier vs. Sean Strickland 2
Could Jared Cannonier’s title campaign begin at 40? Facing off against someone like Sean Strickland, who ranks above him, is worth considering. Just last week, Strickland was in action, making this matchup feasible.
Back in 2022, Cannonier took a narrow split decision win over Strickland. With Strickland holding the number 2 spot, a rematch could reveal whether that initial encounter was a close call or if Cannonier truly has the upper hand against one of the division’s most unconventional fighters.
Climbing the Ladder: Roman Kopylov
If fighting someone ranked higher isn’t the path for Cannonier, but a ranked fight is still the target, think Roman Kopylov. Sitting at number fourteen, Kopylov recently secured a victory against Chris Curtis last January, thanks to a head kick that earned him Fight of the Night.
Now, Kopylov is eager to climb the ranks after subsequent wins over Curtis and Almeida. His last setback was early in 2024 against Fluffy Hernandez, which put an end to his four-fight win streak. Eager to break into the top ten, Kopylov views a bout with Cannonier as the perfect opportunity.
Let’s stay tuned to see which path Cannonier takes next!
When I’m not glued to the screen watching yet another fight, my wife makes sure to remind me I’ve crossed my viewing limit. What can I say? I can’t help but be your friendly neighborhood fight enthusiast!
