Jared Cannonier is ready to ‘go and handle my business’ at UFC Vegas 96.
The 40-year-old will make his 18 UFC appearance on Saturday night (August 23) in yet another main event, this time, against Caio Borralho. The winner of the contest will likely take a big step closer to establishing themselves as a potential contender for a shot at Middleweight gold.
Last time out, Cannonier faced Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Louisville earlier this year. In the fourth round, Imavov caught Cannonier with a stiff right hand that sent the ‘Killa Gorilla’ stumbling. The Frenchman then stepped up the pressure and after landing several big strikes, the referee stepped in. However, immediately after the referee had done so, Cannonier and many of the fans in the arena were in dismay, believing that the stoppage was premature. Although feeling hard done by with the result, ‘The Killa Gorilla’ disclosed that his desire to get back in the octagon so quickly was more to do with making up for lost time after a tough 12 months. Speaking to the media, he said:
“Well, it was nothing like that (righting the wrongs). I just didn't want any layoffs. So, you know. You know what I mean? Coming off of a year layoff surgery and all that other stuff I just didn't want any long layoffs and thankfully, the UFC listened to me. They heard me in whatever interviews I had done. I can't remember but that was my sentiment after the fight.
“I'm pretty sure I voiced that in a few interviews, but I'm happy that they listen to me because this fight is relatively short notice, given that I got offered it five weeks out, but they had offered me another short notice fight before that. So they were really listening when I was talking about getting back in there quick.”
Cannonier sees his path to victory having less to do with being concerned about what Barralho brings, and more to do with concentrating on his own work. Detailing his path to victory, he said:
“Focus on my performance, focus on myself and go and handle my business. Be clean, be sharp, be precise.
"I have to be mentally sound, mentally present because that's going to be the driving force, my mental focus. That's going to be the driving force in this thing.”
You can watch the full interview below:
