Jared Cannonier Open to No. 1 Contender Fight Against Khamzat Chimaev

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Jared Cannonier is willing to rebook the Khamzat Chimaev fight if he is guaranteed a title shot next.





While Cannonier was offered a short-notice booking against Chimaev at UFC 294, “The Killa Gorilla” suffered an MCL tear in practice shortly after getting the call. Chimaev welcomed former welterweight champ Kamaru Usman to middleweight instead, edging out a majority decision win.

“Borz” claims to have been guaranteed a title shot with a win over Usman and has voiced his frustration about the delay in proceedings. However, Cannonier believes he also has a legitimate claim to title contention and wouldn’t mind taking on Chimaev in a No. 1 contender fight.

“It’ll sound cool to say, ‘I’m your huckleberry.’ It does sound cool,” Cannonier told Inside Fighting. “At this point in time, he’s ranked No. 9. I’m down to make it happen, as long as it’s clear that this is a contender's match. … When I get back, if they’re not going to give me the title [shot, then I want] the next best thing, the thing that gets me to the title. And if you say that’s Khamzat, let’s do it.”

Chimaev has recently shown a tendency to slow down in the later rounds due to his relentless pace and pressure. As a result, Cannonier would prefer 25 minutes on the clock against the undefeated Chechen.

“They really want to push him to the title,” Cannonier said. “He really wants to get to the title, and I’m right here. I shouldn’t have to say, ‘Hey, I want a title shot.’ It’s clear and evident that the ass I’ve been kicking says that I want the title shot. So, if it’s not going to be the title next, I will definitely fight the next guy in line. And if it’s Khamzat, let’s make that happen. Let’s do a fiver – let’s see what he’s got in five rounds.”

Jared Cannonier Open to No. 1 Contender Fight Against Khamzat Chimaev

Jared Cannonier is willing to rebook the Khamzat Chimaev fight if he is guaranteed a title shot next.

www.sherdog.com

 

[Poirierfan]

I'm confident in saying a fight against Jared would literally be the end to the Khamzat hype. And because of what I've just stated, I'm also confident they won't make the fight.

 

[Motivated BJ Penn]

What has he done to deserve a fight with Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev?

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

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Will it happen and who wins?

 

[Islam Imamate]

I think that's fair, not like Khamzat really earned it and Jared is coming off wins over Strickland and Vettori so if anything he should be ahead in the title picture. I think Khamzat smokes him though.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

I'm confident in saying a fight against Jared would literally be the end to the Khamzat hype. And because of what I've just stated, I'll be surprised if they make this fight.

What has he done to deserve a fight with Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev?

 

[ComeChooDaddy]

Give Khamzat a title shot already before he completely wastes his youth

 

[svmr_db]

What has he done to deserve a fight with Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev?

More like what has Khamzat done to earn a fight with Cannonier lol.

 

[nonoob]

I like it, let's see some violence.​

Winner... Cannonier handily derails the hype-twitter-train.

 

[EnthusiastCultivator]

One thing people dont talk about is Chimaev's visa problems, apparently his coach said he cant fight in US for the time being. This would explain why he doesn't fight a lot.

Source

 

[Kryptt]

Will it happen? It was supposed to. I would have said not likely after the Usman match and what was supposedly attached to it. But... We all know Dana and his word on 'Title Shots". Makes me wonder of the "promised" how many delivered? Now I think it may be more likely but I doubt Kham wants it. However these words ring true to most fighters I'd imagine.

"When I get back, if they’re not going to give me the title [shot, then I want] the next best thing, the thing that gets me to the title. And if you say that’s Khamzat, let’s do it.”

So Kham may buckle and take it. Great scrap and test for both. Think I'd still favor Kham but as most fights I really never decide till day before/day of.

 

[blaseblase]

What has he done to deserve a fight with Khamzat "Borz" Chimaev?

He's ranked higher for starters. Looking at the rankings, Cannonier is the next title contender based on merit while Khamzat doesn't have any ranked wins at middleweight. He would be lucky to get a fight with Canonnier.

 

[Kenny Powerth]

Khazamat still needs a another fight before a title elimination match

 

[markys00]

Too bad number 1 and/or title eliminator fights don't exist in the ufc

 

[Tweak896]

I thought most people want this fight so when Khamzat wins they can dismiss the win as over a 40 year old MW coming off an injury and deny him a title shot longer.

 

[svmr_db]

Too bad number 1 and/or title eliminator fights don't exist in the ufc

It's subject to change like everything in the sport of course but in recent memory the Brunson vs Cannonier fight, Burns vs Muhammad and the upcoming Oliveira vs Tsarukayan were all declared title eliminators before the fights happened.

 

[biscuitsbrah]

I personally think khamzat wins in fairly a dominant fashion

 

[chinarice]

I like it, let's see some violence.​

Winner... Cannonier handily derails the hype-twitter-train.

Why even fight Khamzat? Win means nothing since Khamzat is nothing but hype. If Khamzat beats him though, why even continue in MMA?

Can't even beat a hypetrain who isn't even good! Still not sure why Usman and Burns haven't retired.

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

Jared taking a fight he shouldn't have to against a guy who doesn't deserve it.

Good man

 

[svmr_db]

Cannonier vs Chimaev as the main event in Saudi Arabia, book it!