“The Killa Gorilla” Jared Cannonier will look to cement himself in the UFC middleweight title picture once again on June 17, where he’ll be met by fellow top-contender Marvin Vettori at the Apex.
The two combatants will square off in a five round fight night main event match-up, as Cannonier aims to take out another one of Xtreme Couture’s top fighters following his recent split-decision victory over Sean Strickland.
“Can’t be disappointed in a win. I’m always looking to get the finish, but after watching the fight I realized that my opponent used a little bit more caution (than expected) and I didn’t make as many of the adjustments that I needed to make to get the finish I wanted,” Cannonier told Cageside Press. “Lessons learned – I’m glad I learned that lesson in a victory as opposed to losing. I’m still happy with the performance.”
Originally born in Dallas, Texas, Cannonier began his professional fighting career in Alaska, where he would amass an undefeated (7-0) record and secure the Alaska Fighting Championship heavyweight title before making the move to the UFC. After a moderate (3-4) start to his UFC tenure, Cannonier chose to move down to middleweight – a decision that has proven wise in recent years.
Since the drop in weight, he has won six of eight fights, including four finishes and three “Performance of the Night” bonuses. Cannonier’s two defeats came at the hands of former champion Robert Whittaker and current middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, when he challenged for UFC gold at International Fight Week last July.
The MMA Lab product now finds himself matched up with “The Italian Stallion” Marvin Vettori, a younger fighter that has achieved great success in the middleweight division, having only lost to Whittaker and Adesanya in the last six years – very similarly to Cannonier.
“He’s very durable, resilient, ever-present – he’s always going to bring the fight,” Cannonier said. “I hope he throws caution to the wind and comes out guns blazing. I’m going to do my best to weather that storm and reciprocate.”
Jared Cannonier has multiple victories in three different weight classes, five UFC performance bonuses, and a professional heavyweight championship belt hanging in his trophy case. While “The Killa Gorilla” has a lot left in the tank as he has shown time and time again, the 39 year-old fighter reflects on his career and the legacy he intends to leave behind.
“I was always an organic fighter. I don’t put on no shows, I don’t wear no costumes, put on any masks or makeup or any of that to prance around and act like something that I’m not,” Cannonier said. “What you see is what you get, and if you don’t like it kiss my ass.”
Cannonier can earn one last championship opportunity with a statement victory over Vettori, though he’d likely need a sensational knockout in order to skip some of the other middleweight contenders in line.
Whether or not he secures another title shot before it’s all said and done, Cannonier stayed true to himself throughout his mixed-martial arts journey and is proud of how his career has unfolded thus far.
Jared Cannonier faces Marvin Vettori in the main event of UFC Vegas 75 on June 17.
