Former UFC Middleweight Title Challenger Jared Cannonier only had four fights on in his career.
It will be a big night for the 185-pound division on UFC 319, while Champion Duus Du Persis returns to defend his title for the third time since he conquered it from Sean Strickland at the beginning of 2024.
After he passed Strickland for the second time and Israel Adesanya in their resorting competition, the South African is the following task to block the title loop of an unbeaten phenomenon. Chimaev will challenge du Plessis in the main event on August 16 in the United Center in Chicago.
The stage for that long -awaited title conflict will be even more ranked middle weights, with Cannonier defending his number 7 position on the Ladder against the former Bellator -striking Michael 'Venom' page.
At the age of 41, 'The Killa Gorilla' knows that his time is almost finished. But he is not yet ready to give up his championship dreams.
Jared Cannonier knows that UFC 319 is the last chance for his title ambitions
During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Cannonier looked ahead to his outing on the controversial UFC 319 pay-per-view card in the 'Windy City'.
In his most recent fight, Cannonier Gregory Rodrigues played to bounce back from successive losses to Caio Borralho and Nassoudine Imavov – two contenders who will collide in an expected title -eliminator in September.
Although his defeats have put him a considerable distance from the championship interview in the past, 'The Killa Gorilla' believes that he has time to put that right, even if the remaining four fights on his current UFC contract appear to be his last.
“A clearer path to the title is all I wanted,” said Cannonier. “Not that I am complaining about the fight I have … But this is not the top of my list of fighting as far as this point in my career.
“This is perhaps my last contract with the UFC. Everyone seems to write off as if I am old.
“I intend to act, get better, to keep doing what I do and show that I am still able to compete at the very first level,” Cannonier continued.
“I only have four fights to show and prove that. I would like to get the title at the time. I know it is possible.”
Jared Cannonier did not get his wish for UFC 319
Given the hope of Cannonier to earn a second shot in the middleweight title in the few UFC fights that he left, the 41-year-old did not surprisingly hope in a name higher in the pecking order than 'MVP'.
The Londoner occupies the No. 15 place on 185 pounds, a position earned when page in the division debuted against Shara Magomedov in Saudi Arabia last February and the Dagestani handed his first loss.
But 'The Killa Gorilla' hoped for a larger assignment after his own victory in February. Cannonier called Adesanya and Strickland, two names in the top five, for Rematches.
Nevertheless, the 'Venom' page is a controversial name, and a victory over the flashy striker can secure Cannonier the kind of ranked opponent he needs to restore his title chances.