SYDNEY – Jared Cannonier is prepared to make a huge impact in the middleweight title scene – whether it’s at UFC 293 or afterward.
Cannonier (17-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) is tabbed as the backup fighter for Saturday’s championship bout between Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, which headlines the pay-per-view main card at Qudos Bank Arena following prelims on ESPNews/ESPN+ and early prelims on ESPN+.
After learning his services would be needed less than five weeks ago, Cannonier said his focus has been on making weight, which the UFC is putting “a nice pretty penny to put in my bank” to do. The UFC has never actually faced a situation where a backup fighter was needed at the 11th hour, but Cannonier said he’ll be ready for it – and thinks he has a strategic leg up given the fact he’s already fought Adesanya (24-2 MMA, 13-2 UFC) and Strickland (27-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) before.
