At 40 years of age, Jared Cannonier is among the greatest Middleweights alive.
Heading into his fourth consecutive essential occasion slot, “The Killa Gorilla” didn’t fairly have the momentum he deserved. The previous title challenger has made his need for a second shot loads clear, and wins over Sean Strickland and Marvin Vettori — the latter being a record-setting beat down — ought to have positioned him within the instant combine for an opportunity at gold.
Struggle politics being what they’re, nonetheless, Cannonier wanted extra. UFC doesn’t like giving 40 12 months olds title pictures, even when they’re knockout artists … and particularly if their first title shot was a little bit of a stinker and there’s different fashionable names within the combine. Consequently, Cannonier was compelled to look down the ladder and discover Nassourdine Imavov, a really proficient up-and-comer 12 years his junior.
The battle was extremely aggressive. Cannonier was surprisingly decided to wrestle, and his efforts fatigued him. Even so, Cannonier was up on two of the three judges’ scorecards heading into the fourth, and the battle was very a lot up for grabs. Imavov did his a part of reaching for the victory, cracking Cannonier with a pleasant proper hand excessive.
Cannonier was harm. His legs wobbled, however he regained his footing. He took a number of steps away from Imavov, however he saved his eyes on the advancing “Sniper.” Cannonier threw a counter hook and blocked a pair punches. His guard was excessive and his legs beneath him when referee Jason Herzog stepped in and known as the battle.
Now, I like to bash decide and referee incompetence every time attainable, however Herzog is among the greatest within the recreation. It is a case of a largely nice referee doing a troublesome job for a very long time — errors are sure to occur. The actual unlucky facet of this particular mistake is the circumstance, particularly that Jared Cannonier is now royally screwed, and there’s no forcing the cat again into the bag.
Per week in the past, Cannonier vs. Du Plessis was a possible match up, a battle that would occur with only a smidge of luck. Higher but, the match up was a really affordable one for Cannonier. Du Plessis has blocked loads of punches together with his face, and Cannonier hits like a mack truck. I might favor the South African champion total, however “Killa Gorilla” would positively stand an inexpensive at shutting off his lights if the 2 have been to battle within the subsequent three months.
Now? Cannonier is AT LEAST two fights away from a title shot. Extra doubtless, he’s three or 4 wins away. Even when UFC opts to guide a right away rematch (most likely not) and fake this didn’t occur in any respect, Cannonier is delayed months earlier than having any chance of a title shot. That’s all too lengthy for a 40 12 months outdated contender. As an alternative of getting an inexpensive — if nonetheless lengthy — shot at gold, Cannonier now requires an absolute miracle. That’s the result of a mistake from the referee, a component exterior of Cannonier’s management.
Put bluntly: it sucks!
In a extra summary sense, it’s an excellent instance of how luck and recognition can play such pivotal roles in making a champion.
For full UFC Lousisville: “Cannonier vs. Imavov” outcomes and play-by-play, click on HERE!
