Jared Cannonier is set to challenge for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 276, but his journey down to the 185-pound division has been epic.
Having originally fought in the UFC’s heavyweight division, the fighter has undergone a dramatic weight loss regime over a couple of years to now compete in the middleweight ranks.
With a stint in the light heavyweight division bridging the gap, the now #2 ranked middleweight has the chance to make history when he enters the octagon against Israel Adesanya in July 2022.
Here is everything you need to know about Jared Cannonier’s weight loss from heavyweight to middleweight ahead of his UFC 276 title challenge against Israel Adesanya.
Read More: UFC 276: Israel Adesanya, Fight Card, Date, Rumours, UK Time, Tickets and More
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 03: David Branch of the United States (L) fights against Jared Cannonier of the United States in their middleweight bout during the UFC 230 event at Madison Square Garden on November 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
Jared Cannonier Body Transformation
Speaking to ESPN back in 2021, Cannonier revealed that he weighed over 300 pounds whilst living in Alaska.
Cannonier would make his UFC debut back in 2015, fighting in the heavyweight division. The now-middleweight fighter was at his heaviest fighting weight for UFC Fight Night in Croatia back in 2016, where he weighed in at 241 pounds.
Again speaking to ESPN, Cannonier revealed that he knew he needed to drop in weight class to have a better shot in the upper echelons of the company.
He said: "I already knew when I was at heavyweight that I wasn't a natural heavyweight compared to the other guys I'd be competing against. I'm a realist. I'm not living in a fantasy. I know what's what. It was only a matter of time. I knew I had to make that happen.”
Cannonier would make the drop down to 205-pounds and light heavyweight in 2016, training full-time with MMA Lab to advance his fighting career.
The fighter would eventually make the drop to 185-pounds and the middleweight division in late 2018, and this would prove huge for his career.
At ‘only’ 5 feet 11 inches, Cannonier knew that he would struggle in terms of reach, so the move down in weight has alleviated that issue.
‘Tha Killer Gorilla’ has secured some massive wins inside of the UFC octagon, defeating the likes of Anderson Silva, Kelvin Gastelum and Derek Brunson.
Cannonier challenges for the UFC Middleweight Championship on Saturday 2nd July 2022 at UFC 276.
Read More: Israel Adesanya vs Jared Cannonier UK Cage Walk Time UFC 276
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