Las Vegas – UFC middleweight Jared Cannonier defeated a tough up-and-comer in Gregory Rodrigues at UFC Vegas 102 on Saturday night, but knows everybody in the division could be the guy.
“This is the UFC. We say ‘up-and-comer’ and all that other stuff, but the next up-and-comer can be the next champion,” Cannonier told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.
“Dricus (du Plessis) was an up-and-comer at one point. The last two people who beat me, the first of the last two people that beat me, just beat the previous champion. Hall of famer champion, legendary champion, so it happens.”
Cannonier (18-8) was tiring of the ‘gatekeeper’ label that many had put on him specially after his last two losses. The win over Rodrigues mutes that at least for the time being. In interviews leading up to the fight Cannonier said he was asked question after question about fighting prospects that made him feel like they labeled him a gatekeeper.
“That’s not how I see myself. That’s never how I’m going to see myself. That’s never what I’m going to be. I’m not a gatekeeper, I am a…I don’t know, a fighter,” he said.
After turning away one of the more promising prospects in the division Cannonier wants to get back on track for a UFC title as soon as possible.
“I would like a ranked opponent for sure, I’m definitely going to get a ranked opponent after that victory, I would like somebody ranked higher than me,” he said.
“Unfortunately all the people ranked higher than me are either in line to get a title shot, or going to wait for a title shot, or just beat me. I’m not going to rule anything out. Shoot, if they say ‘hey Jared we need you to fight Dricus next for the belt’, I’m like, ‘Hell yes. I’m ready.”
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Jared Cannonier above.
