In a stunning turn of events following his triumphant victory at UFC 293, Jared Cannonier has sent shockwaves through the MMA world by refusing to entertain the idea of a rematch between Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya, stating boldly, “F**k the rematch, I already beat the champion.”
Cannonier’s emphatic statement came after UFC President and CEO Dana White expressed a strong desire for an immediate rematch between Strickland and Adesanya, following Strickland’s unanimous decision victory in the main event of the Sydney pay-per-view extravaganza.
The No. 4-ranked middleweight contender, Cannonier, had previously defeated Sean Strickland in the headlining bout of UFC Vegas 66 towards the end of 2022. As such, he believes he has already earned the right to challenge for the middleweight championship.
Addressing Dana White directly on social media, Cannonier wrote, “Hey Dana, f**k the rematch. I’ve already beaten your champion; let’s do it again. Watch me break another record. I’m better than ever, you’ll see.”
Jared Cannonier’s performance at UFC 293 certainly lends credibility to his claim. His record-setting victory in Sydney showcased his improved skills and undeniable determination to secure his shot at the middleweight title.
With a record of 17-6, Cannonier has a convincing argument for being next in line for a title shot, despite his previous title bout loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 276. However, this would require him to leapfrog over the winner of the upcoming clash between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev, set to take place at UFC 284 in Abu Dhabi.
As the middleweight division continues to evolve and create fresh matchups, the question of who will step into the Octagon next for a title shot remains a hot topic of debate. Only time will tell if Jared Cannonier’s impassioned call for recognition will be answered by the UFC’s decision-makers.
