5 biggest takeaways from UFC on ESPN+ 18: Cannonier's emergence, another 'Von Preux,' and more
What mattered most at UFC on ESPN+ 18 in Copenhagen? Here are a few post-fight musings …
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1. Jared Cannonier’s middleweight surprise continues
When Jared Cannonier made his UFC debut four years ago, it was as a heavyweight. He’s since moved down to light heavyweight then middleweight, where he has shown his best work inside the octagon.
Cannonier (13-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) had everything riding against him in his headliner with Jack Hermansson (20-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC). He came into Copenhagen – where his opponent had ties – as a sizable underdog and certainly as the B-side in the promotional buildup. “The Killa Gorilla” didn’t care, though, as he figured out Hermansson’s game and closed the show by TKO early in the second round.
It took a while for Cannonier to find his right division, but now he’s 3-0 at 185 pounds and more relevant than ever. At 35, he’s late bloomer, but his performance against Hermansson proved he’s a serious problem in the 185-pound division. His next fight will be a big one.