Jared Cannonier reconciled to gatekeeper role

Jared Cannonier will appear in the evening fight of the UFC Vegas 102 gala, the experienced American admitted that he realizes that he has fallen into the role of gatekeeper of the middleweight division.

Jared Cannonier is a former contender for the UFC organization’s championship belt. Killa Gorilla fought for the title in July 2022 and lost to Israel Adesanya after a unanimous judges’ decision. The experienced American has fought his last five fights against opponents younger than himself.

The same will be true in the evening fight of UFC Vegas 102 when Cannonier faces Gregory Rodrigues. Jared will enter the octagon after two defeats in a row, the veteran had to recognize the superiority of Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho.

Jared Cannonier realizes that he has fallen into the role of gatekeeper of the division up to 84 kilograms. The fighter talked about it during a media day.

– My name is once again sacrificed like a sheep. But that’s the way it is in this game, that’s the business. It was like that in my last two fights and it is like that again now. I get fights all the time against contenders, against fighters who are building a name for themselves. If I lose to them, I open the door to even bigger matchups for them. I don’t feel like I’m a gatekeeper, but it kind of smells and looks that way from the outside.

– I honestly don’t go into these topics just analyzed it for you. I am more interested in what I have to deal with in my daily life. As I am matched against rivals who are building a name I just prepare as if I were at war with these young fighters.