Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jared Cannonier See More
UFC Paris takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
The sharpest MMA bets, top DFS picks across multiple sites, and predictions for this weekend's UFC Vegas 96 card are live on RotoWire before Saturday's pay-per-view event.
The top MMA betting and DFS plays for this weekend's UFC Vegas 96 card are up, with breakdowns on betting and lineup strategy, as well as predictions for the entire event.
The top MMA betting picks are live on RotoWire. Check out UFC Vegas 96 predictions for a favorite, an underdog, a prop & a parlay for bettors to consider Saturday.
UFC Vegas 96 takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
More Fantasy News
Hangs tough in main event loss
Cannonier lost to Caio Borralho via unanimous decision (45-49, 45-49, 46-48) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was lopsided when the final bell rang, but it's important to remember this fight was seemingly up for grabs with just a couple of minutes left. It felt a heck of a lot closer than the scorecards would lead you to believe. Cannonier started slowly before finding his range in Round 2. He connected with a handful of power shots and took less damage than the opening frame. He was nearly finished in Round 3 before battling back in Round 4. With the fight possibly tied entering the final frame, Jared's body seemingly gave out with about 90 seconds left. He was dropped by Borralho and ate a ton of follow-up shots, although he managed to see the final bell. Now 40 years of age, Cannonier has lost back-to-back fights and three of his last fight. He appears to have plenty of gas left in the tank, but it's always a concern when the losses starting piling up in the latter stages of your career. On the bright side, he'll take away an extra $50,000 after this main-event bout was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
It was lopsided when the final bell rang, but it's important to remember this fight was seemingly up for grabs with just a couple of minutes left. It felt a heck of a lot closer than the scorecards would lead you to believe. Cannonier started slowly before finding his range in Round 2. He connected with a handful of power shots and took less damage than the opening frame. He was nearly finished in Round 3 before battling back in Round 4. With the fight possibly tied entering the final frame, Jared's body seemingly gave out with about 90 seconds left. He was dropped by Borralho and ate a ton of follow-up shots, although he managed to see the final bell. Now 40 years of age, Cannonier has lost back-to-back fights and three of his last fight. He appears to have plenty of gas left in the tank, but it's always a concern when the losses starting piling up in the latter stages of your career. On the bright side, he'll take away an extra $50,000 after this main-event bout was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
Named event headliner
Cannonier and fellow middleweight Caio Borralho will headline UFC Vegas 96 on Aug. 24, according to the UFC's announcement Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
UFC Vegas 96 is Cannonier's first chance to get back on track after his June loss to Nassourdine Imavov. The event also marks Cannonier's fifth consecutive headliner should it go through, main-event experience that Borralho very much lacks in comparison. However, Borralho has won each of his last 13 fights, something Cannonier should and will not take lightly.
UFC Vegas 96 is Cannonier's first chance to get back on track after his June loss to Nassourdine Imavov. The event also marks Cannonier's fifth consecutive headliner should it go through, main-event experience that Borralho very much lacks in comparison. However, Borralho has won each of his last 13 fights, something Cannonier should and will not take lightly.
Stopped for first time since 2018
Cannonier lost to Nassourdine Imavov via TKO (punches) at 1:34 of Round 4 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky.
ANALYSIS
It's Cannonier's first stoppage defeat since May 2018, and it took a questionable decision from referee Jason Herzog to make it happen. To be fair, Jared was clearly trending in the wrong direction, but he deserved a chance to battle through it. He started this fight on fire, combining his trademark power and aggressiveness, but Cannonier's gas tank -- usually a strength -- ended up betraying him. Imavov began to find his range as the bout progressed, and Jared had zero answers. Cannonier is 7-3 in his past 10 fights, all while fighting the best the middleweight division has to offer, but when you're 40 years of age and you lose, everyone is going to wonder if this is the beginning of the end.
It's Cannonier's first stoppage defeat since May 2018, and it took a questionable decision from referee Jason Herzog to make it happen. To be fair, Jared was clearly trending in the wrong direction, but he deserved a chance to battle through it. He started this fight on fire, combining his trademark power and aggressiveness, but Cannonier's gas tank -- usually a strength -- ended up betraying him. Imavov began to find his range as the bout progressed, and Jared had zero answers. Cannonier is 7-3 in his past 10 fights, all while fighting the best the middleweight division has to offer, but when you're 40 years of age and you lose, everyone is going to wonder if this is the beginning of the end.
Set to headline UFC Louisville
Cannonier (knee) will take on Nassourdine Imavov in a middleweight matchup in the main event of UFC Louisville on June 8, Alex Behunin of MMA Mania reports.
ANALYSIS
Cannonier had been building momentum since his 2022 title shot defeat, winning back-to-back fights against Sean Strickland and Marvin Vettori. That progress was halted when he was forced to withdraw from UFC 294 last October with a torn MCL, but he's now recovered enough to book a fight. His new opponent, Imavov, is coming off a win against Cannonier's previously-scheduled opponent, Roman Dolidze. In the upcoming fight, the striking statistics are similar for the two men. Cannonier has a reach advantage, while Imavov is four inches taller.
Cannonier had been building momentum since his 2022 title shot defeat, winning back-to-back fights against Sean Strickland and Marvin Vettori. That progress was halted when he was forced to withdraw from UFC 294 last October with a torn MCL, but he's now recovered enough to book a fight. His new opponent, Imavov, is coming off a win against Cannonier's previously-scheduled opponent, Roman Dolidze. In the upcoming fight, the striking statistics are similar for the two men. Cannonier has a reach advantage, while Imavov is four inches taller.
Out for UFC 294 with injury
Cannonier announced Wednesday that he has withdrawn from his scheduled middleweight fight with Roman Dolidze on Dec. 2 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi due to a torn right MCL, Farah Hannoun of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Cannonier reportedly suffered the injury shortly after being selected along with Dolidze as a replacement on the card for the Paulo Costa-Khamzat Chimaev fight that was cancelled due to Costa's own knee injury. The 39-year-old Cannonier is scheduled to undergo surgery Thursday and will likely face a multi-month recovery before being cleared to compete again at some point in 2024.
Cannonier reportedly suffered the injury shortly after being selected along with Dolidze as a replacement on the card for the Paulo Costa-Khamzat Chimaev fight that was cancelled due to Costa's own knee injury. The 39-year-old Cannonier is scheduled to undergo surgery Thursday and will likely face a multi-month recovery before being cleared to compete again at some point in 2024.