Former UFC middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier returns to action this weekend when he takes on the fast-rising Christian Leroy Duncan in a pivotal middleweight clash.
Cannonier views the bout as a chance to remind the UFC of his continued strength at 185 pounds, while Duncan aims to further his rise in the division.
While acknowledging Duncan’s athleticism and dynamic striking, Cannonier made it clear that he sees a decisive advantage in the wealth of experience he boasts.
“He’s pretty athletic. He uses a lot of dynamic techniques…spinning stuff, kicks, elbows, and knees. He’s pretty competent everywhere. I guess I would say I have more experience than him, which gives me better application of my techniques,” said Cannonier in a virtual interaction with Sportstar.
Rather than predicting exactly how the contest will unfold, the 42-year-old expects an entertaining and unpredictable fight.
“It could be a tactical battle. I can go in and get my first submission in the UFC. Anything can happen,” he said. “I definitely plan to lean on some aspects of that experience. I just want to be the smarter fighter,” he added.
Despite being one of the division’s most experienced competitors, Cannonier insists the pursuit of improvement remains his biggest motivation.
“One of the slogans at The MMA Lab is ‘1% better,’ and that’s the goal every time you step in there,” he said. I want that to show on Saturday night,” he said.
As for the bigger picture, Cannonier remains focused solely on the immediate task.
“The goal is always to win the next fight,” he said. “I’m always looking to have a big performance, get a bonus, and then do it again.”
With both fighters known for their explosive striking, Cannonier believes fans could be in for a memorable contest, one he predicts has all the ingredients to be “potentially a Fight of the Night.”
Streaming information:
Watch UFC Fight Night - Du Plessis vs Usman on July 19, 2026, from 5:30 AM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD and Sony LIV.
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Published on Jul 17, 2026