What’s next for Jared Cannonier after losing two fights in a row?

In a surprising turn of events at UFC Vegas 96 this past weekend, former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier suffered a unanimous decision loss to rising star Caio Borralho in the main event. The judges scored the fight 49-45, 49-45 and 48-46 in favor of the Brazilian fighter, representing a significant setback for the 40-year-old Cannonier.

Borralho implemented a calculated game plan from the start, disrupting Cannonier’s rhythm with leg kicks and carefully choosing his strikes. Despite Cannonier’s experience and power, he struggled to be consistently successful against his younger, more agile opponent.

The fight was not without its moments for Cannonier, however. In the second round, he seemed to stagger Borralho, flashing the devastating power that has made him a fearsome contender in the division. The veteran continued to be successful in the fourth round, landing a hard combination that caused a gash under Borralho’s right eye.

Still, Borralho’s resilience and fighting spirit were on display as he withstood Cannonier’s attacks and continued to press forward. The Brazilian’s punch count proved to be a key factor as he out-threw Cannonier by 83 strikes (153) over the course of the 25-minute bout.

The final round sealed Cannonier’s fate when Borralho floored him with a devastating right hook followed by a stiff left hand. Although Cannonier survived until the final bell, the late knockdown left no doubt about the outcome.

This loss is Cannonier’s second in a row and could mark a turning point in his career. After bouncing back from a failed title shot in 2022 with wins over Sean Strickland and Marvin Vettori, Cannonier is now at a crucial turning point.

For Cannonier, this setback raises questions about his future in the highly competitive middleweight division. At 40, he will have to regroup and reevaluate his path if he wants to have any hope of winning the title again.

Now that the dust has settled from UFC Vegas 96, we take a look at what’s next for the former title challenger as he looks to get back on track.

It’s time for Roman Dolidze’s attempt to reach the top

Following his hard-fought unanimous decision loss to Caio Borralho at UFC Vegas 96, Jared Cannonier is at a turning point in his career. The logical next step for the veteran middleweight should be a fight with Roman Dolidze, a fight that makes sense from both a ranking and stylistic perspective.

Cannonier, who entered the fight ranked fifth in the division, demonstrated his typical toughness and power against Borralho. Despite the loss, he proved that he can still compete at a high level. Dolidze, currently ranked tenth, offers Cannonier an ideal opportunity to reassert himself in the middleweight division.

This clash was previously planned. The two were originally scheduled to face each other in December 2023 before Cannonier pulled out due to injury. Rescheduling this fight would not only allow for an already scheduled contest, but would also provide clarity in the division’s rankings.

Stylistically, Cannonier’s striking-heavy approach would mesh well with Dolidze’s grappling-based style, potentially making for an exciting clash of techniques. Both fighters have suffered defeats and are looking to bounce back, which adds an extra layer of motivation to the potential clash.

For Cannonier, a win over Dolidze would prove that he is still a force in the division and potentially give him another shot at the top. For Dolidze, a win over a former title challenger like Cannonier would be a significant boost to his own championship ambitions.

With both fighters expected to be available in similar time frames, this matchup makes perfect sense as the UFC looks to select its middleweight contenders for 2025.

A slugfest with Paulo Costa is exactly what Jared Cannonier needs

Following Jared Cannonier’s hard-fought loss to Caio Borralho at UFC Vegas 96, the veteran middleweight finds himself at a pivotal point in his career. An exciting next step for “The Killa Gorilla” would be a long-awaited showdown with Paulo Costa, a match that has been planned for years but has not yet materialized.

Both fighters are coming off losses and need a clear win to compete in the upper echelons of the division. Given these shared circumstances, the timing for this heavyweight clash is perfect.

Cannonier and Costa have come close to facing each other many times in the past. They were originally scheduled to headline a fight night in August 2021, but Costa pulled out due to contract disputes. Most recently, talks about a possible fight at UFC 301 in Brazil fell through due to Cannonier’s MCL injury.

Stylistically, this fight promises to be a fireworks display. Both fighters are known for their striking power and knockout power and set the stage for an explosive contest that fans are eagerly awaiting.

For Cannonier, a win over the No. 8 ranked Costa would prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with at middleweight. Conversely, Costa could use a win over a former title challenger to reignite his own championship ambitions.

With both fighters likely to be available in similar time frames, this long overdue clash makes perfect sense as the UFC looks to sort out its middleweight contenders. It’s time for Cannonier and Costa to finally settle the score and answer the question of who will emerge victorious from this clash of middleweight titans.

A Fight of the Night rematch with Marvin Vettori

Following Jared Cannonier’s hard-fought loss to Caio Borralho at UFC Vegas 96, the veteran middleweight finds himself at a critical point in his career. An exciting next step for “The Killa Gorilla” would be a rematch with Marvin Vettori, a fight that would serve the interests of both fighters and bring clarity to the division’s rankings.

Cannonier and Vettori have a history together, facing each other in a thrilling fight in June 2023. In that fight, Cannonier emerged victorious via unanimous decision in a fight that showcased the toughness and skill of both men. A rematch would not only offer Cannonier a chance to prove that his previous win was no fluke, but would also give Vettori a chance for redemption.

Both fighters are coming off losses and need a clear win to stay in the upper ranks of the division. Given these shared circumstances, the timing for this rematch is perfect.

Stylistically, their first meeting was an exciting fight that kept fans on the edge of their seats. A second meeting would likely deliver similar fireworks and give the UFC a marketable fight that could easily headline a Fight Night card or serve as a strong co-main event on a pay-per-view.

For Cannonier, a second victory over Vettori would confirm his status as a top contender and could give him another shot at the title. For Vettori, avenging his loss to Cannonier would be an important step towards regaining his position in the middleweight elite.

With both fighters expected to be available during similar time frames, this rematch makes sense as the UFC looks to select its middleweight contenders for the coming year.