Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker predicted Jared Cannonier would win last weekend’s main event matchup against Marvin Vettori, in a battle of two contenders he’s previously beaten. However, he spoke of his surprise at how things played out – something that has been brewing for a while as far as the Italian is concerned.
Cannonier still levelling up with age
Deja vu at 185lbs?
The division has been separated into two tiers, and this past weekend only typified why there’s such a gap between the reigning and former champion compared to their peers. It’s no wonder both have hinted at testing themselves elsewhere.
Jared Cannonier set a new single-fight record for the most significant strikes landed in a middleweight fight (241) per UFC stats, during a win that had critics praising Marvin Vettori’s toughness.
That’s never a good sign for a perennial contender who has now lost two of his last three rather handedly against top opposition, and three of five dating back to an underwhelming title shot against Israel Adesanya during their July 2021 rematch.
Vettori’s fan-friendly style – best exemplified against Paulo Costa at 205lbs – isn’t exactly the smartest fighting style ala Michael Chandler, and hasn’t sharpened in ways you’d expect after a series of invaluable experiences, win or lose.
That’s why many said he missed a trick in the Adesanya rematch, failing to make adequate adjustments as it quickly proved an underwhelming display.
Whittaker outclassed him last year in their stand-up exchanges with relative ease, and while Cannonier has power in both hands for opponents to be wary of, he isn’t noted for an overwhelming workrate.
During ESPN’s post-fight show, Whittaker said: “I picked Cannonier to win this fight but didn’t pick this – didn’t envision seeing this pressure fighter who just crows and closing that gap.
You saw during the fight Cannonier had a hold of Marvin’s hands a lot of the times because he was that close. I didn’t pick him coming out with this approach but it obviously worked to great effect.”
Don’t dare disrespect Dricus
Adesanya’s been open about the possibility of fresh matchups, with Dricus du Plessis facing an unenviable title eliminator against Whittaker at UFC 290 on July 8. As far as mentality is concerned, there’s no worries in that regard for Bobby Knuckles.
“I do believe that is one of the major reasons why Dricus has had the success he’s had because he’s going up against these dudes, they’re not giving him his credit, the respect his skillset deserves. I fully understand that. I have bled and sweat and trained my butt off to take the war to him, come UFC 290.”
South African 29-year-old du Plessis is currently riding a five-fight win streak since joining the promotion in 2020 from KSW and EFC Africa, with recent stoppage wins against Darren Till and Derek Brunson solidifying his standing as a true contender.
Whittaker has already beaten several top-ranked opponents and while former champion Alex Pereira (#1) is expected to make his light-heavyweight debut against a fellow former titlist in Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291, that only narrows the field.
Fresh matchups at 185lbs are hard to come by and du Plessis needed at least one marquee win in the division before staking his claim for title contention.
He faces the toughest test possible next month, in a weight class where both long-reigning kings have spoken about their openness to move to 205lbs.
Although Whittaker himself hasn’t been shy about a willingness to move up and stay at light-heavy for the rest of his career, it won’t happen until he’s exhausted all options in the current weight class.
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes via mmajunkie
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