A big step up in competition is coming for UFC light heavyweight Jared Cannonier, who is targeted for a UFC 208 showdown vs. Glover Teixeira.
Just a few days after getting a Fight of the Night victory on the TUF 24 Finale, UFC light heavyweight Jared Cannonier is in line for a top 5 opponent.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani reports that Cannonier is expected to face Glover Teixeira at UFC 208, which is set for February 11th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. UFC officials haven’t formally announced this matchup.
Teixeira (25-5) is coming off a 13-second KO loss to Anthony Johnson at UFC 202. It marked his first stoppage loss in the UFC, and it was the first time he’d been finished since his pro MMA debut in 2003. The Brazilian’s only other appearance in 2016 was a 1st round KO of former 205 lbs champion Rashad Evans, back in the April 16th UFC on FOX 19 main event. The 37-year-old is currently the UFC’s #3 ranked light heavyweight contender.
Cannonier (9-1) dropped down to light heavyweight after previously spending his entire career at heavyweight. His decision to move to 205 came after picking up a 1st round KO win over Cyril Asker in April. The Alaskan’s 205 debut proved to be a successful one, as he rallied from a slow start to defeat Ion Cutelaba by unanimous decision in last Saturday’s TUF 24 Finale. Going from an unranked Cutelaba to a #3 contender and former title challenger in the space of two months is definitely one massive bump in competition.
It should be noted that Teixeira was due to fight Jimi Manuwa on January 21st in Anaheim, but that PPV date was scrapped, and with it, so was the fight. This is also why the Brooklyn card is now UFC 208 instead of UFC 209. According to Ariel Helwani, “early plans are to have [Manuwa] compete March 18 in his native England.”
More News
UFC269: Venezuelan Julianna Peña Submits Brazilian Amanda Nunes, Becomes the new UFC World Champion
Oliveira, Poitier Make Weight for UFC World Title
Hot UFC269: this Saturday Oliveira vs Poirier Ready for War in Las Vegas