HOUSTON – While everything around [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag], appears to be in flux, he’s staying calm, patient and, most importantly of all, ready for UFC 248.
The UFC middleweight contender was slated to fight former champion Robert Whittaker on the March 7 pay-per-view card in Las Vegas, but following Whittaker’s withdrawal for personal reasons, it seemed the UFC would turn to Darren Till to step in and take the fight.
However, with just one month to go before fight night in Vegas, no bout agreement has been signed. Cannonier (13-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) says he understands the reasons behind the situation, but also would appreciate things being sorted out as quickly as possible.
“That’s a good way to describe it, a state of purgatory, or a state of limbo. I dunno. It is what it is,” Cannonier told MMA Junkie on Saturday ahead of UFC 247. “I completely understand, given the circumstance, with Till holding out for reasons he’s holding out for. So I just happen to be caught in the line of fire, I suppose.”
While Till, a former welterweight title challenger, and the UFC attempt to thrash out a deal that would make the middleweight contender fight a reality, Cannonier is staying level-headed and focusing on his preparation, regardless of the situation around him.
“All of my work leading up to this point has prepared me to deal with this sort of thing, so it is what it is,” Cannonier explained. “I continue to train. I’m continuing to have fun doing all that, which is the reason why I do it. I’m a martial artist. This is just a part of it. It would be preferable that this didn’t happen and that we already had this thing squared away, and everybody knew what was going to happen March 7. But right now, nobody knows what’s going to happen.”
One reason for Cannonier being so keen on taking part in UFC 248 is the fact that his end goal, the 185-pound title, will be contested in the main event. Given the fact that champion Israel Adesanya’s opponent, Cuban powerhouse Yoel Romero, has struggled making weight in the past, Cannonier wants to be in pole position to step in just in case something happens again.
“There’s also the middleweight title on that thing. What happens if something happens there?” he asked. “That’s a big ‘what if,’ but what if something happens? I would definitely like to be in the position to step right on in and fill that spot.”
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“The Killa Gorilla” even said that, if things didn’t work out for his own fight in Vegas, he’d still be prepared to be a backup fighter and make weight, just in case the UFC needs a last-gasp replacement for the headliner. After all, it’s a role he has played once before, at UFC 244 in November 2019.
“If I don’t get a fight, then yeah, a payday is better than no payday, and I had fun the last time I did it in New York. I had a good time,” Cannonier said. “I love coming out for fight week. The UFC takes very good care of us in that regard. So I’m more than happy to come out here and earn an easy paycheck like that.”
With just one month to go until UFC 248 and no official word on his fighting status on the card, Cannonier finds himself in a situation that would drive even the most patient of athletes to distraction. But the 35-year-old is leaving his personal feelings to one side and keeping it as professional as he can, while hoping all the pieces fall into place over the coming days.
“My feelings are of no concern of consequence as to the situation,” Cannonier explained. “I don’t get in my feelings about it, especially any stressful feelings. I try to stay positive in everything. I want to be in more control of the outcome, and I feel that getting mad, getting upset, that’s not the energy I want to use. Tactically, that’s just not the smart way to approach the situation, either. I’m a grown-ass man on top of that, so I’m not going to sit there and argue and yell at people. You’re either going to treat me right, or I’m going to walk away. And I’m being treated right, I feel.”
While the issue of his fight booking remains up in the air, one thing that isn’t in question is Cannonier’s readiness. Whether it’s a late-replacement title shot against Adesanya or a potential No. 1 contender clash with Till, the big Texan says he’s good to go and confident of victory.
“As far as me fighting (Adesanya), I’m ready. We’ve gotta ask more specific questions,” Cannonier said. “Me fighting him in regards to how much attention it can get? He’s done his part. He’s going to bring his attention. I don’t concern myself with who’s paying attention to me. For me, that’s lower-level thinking right there.
“If I’m getting ready for a fight, especially a fight with a champion, why wouldn’t I fight Till if they offered Till? That’s how I feel. I’m going to be getting ready for a fight. I’m ready to fight. I’m confident I can beat anybody in the world, that’s just it. I feel I can beat anybody. So I’m ready to take that chance when I’m ready. I would like to know ahead of time, but we’ll see what happens.”
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