UFC APEX – UFC middleweight Jared Cannonier faces the rising Caio Borralho at UFC Vegas 96 on Saturday night, but he almost fought on an earlier card against a certain Trailblazer.
“This fight is relatively short notice, given that I got offered five weeks out,” Cannonier told reporters on Wednesday.
“They had offered me another short-notice fight before that. The Denver card. They offered me Kevin Holland.”
Cannonier (17-7) could have fought the #15 ranked welterweight in Holland who jumps between 170 and 185 constantly. Unfortunately for that card Cannonier was not in shape to take it.
“At the time I was a little too fat to accept that fight on short-notice at elevation. Unfortunately I had to decline, but you know, I’m happy that they offered me that fight,” he said.
At UFC Vegas 96 he takes on Borralho in the main event.
“Maybe a sense of familiarity I guess because he had called me out before. He’s been wanting to fight me for I think about a year,” he said.
“I thought it was cool. I feel like it’s a compliment. Specially the way he did it. It was respectful. He acknowledged my skill level. Saying that he wanted to go up against that and make his way towards the title and stuff.”
Another fight, another main event for Cannonier, who understands the value of a main event slot even at the UFC APEX.
“It’s always good to get in these main events. A little extra money, little higher profile, it’s definitely better for my career,” said Cannonier.
“I’m always thinking about how it’s going to benefit me.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Jared Cannonier above. He takes on Caio Borralho at UFC Vegas 96 on Saturday night.
