Jared Cannonier is clear about his intention to challenge his division’s champ as soon as possible when he makes his comeback. But to do that, the fighter knows that he must first get a fight that will give him the No. 1 contender right. And for Cannonier, that could be Khamzat Chimaev.
Cannonier will soon return after experiencing an injury. The fighter was supposed to make an appearance at UFC 294 last October to face Khamzat Chimaev, and it was a big opportunity. However, “The Killa Gorilla” was forced to pull out of the match due to an injury, which stole a handful of opportunities from the fighter. That includes the Chimaev fight he missed, which was later announced as the No. 1 contender by the promotion. Now, Cannonier wants to take back what that injury has taken from him.
In his return, Cannonier is eyeing to get the chance to be booked against Chimaev again. Given that Chimaev is demanding the promotion to give him the title shot it promised to him, Cannonier thinks the Russian fighter will be the shortcut to enter the title conversation.
“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 contenders 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.”
“They really want to push him to the title. 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.”
