UFC 254 continues to deliver massively as the co-main event features a middleweight title eliminator. Robert Whittaker will face off against Jared Cannonier for a chance to face Israel Adesanya, who sits atop the 185-pound division. Chiefly, the high-level contest comes up for ‘Fight of the Night’ given the fact that the exchange will probably play out on the feet.
The middleweight division has the talent to the brim with high-level contenders looking to scalp a path to UFC gold. Adesanya has set an incredibly high standard for contenders, and the aforementioned middleweights can deliver massively. Both Whittaker and Cannonier have different motivations for making their way to ‘Izzy’.
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‘The Reaper’ fell to Israel Adesanya in the second round and lost his strap to the ‘Last Stylebender’. Certain glaring errors in his game were brought to the forefront and he will be keen to run it back. On the other hand, Jared Cannonier’s career trajectory has been marred with trials during his time at Heavyweight and light heavyweight. As a 185-pounder he has found tremendous success.
UFC middleweights: Robert Whittaker vs Jared Cannonier
The former champion, Whittaker, has proved to be a threat in the pocket as he mixes his strikes along with devastating steep kicks effectively. He keeps a steady pace from the beginning of the fight, however; he has been overzealous at times. Not to mention, his chin has deteriorated in recent years as he’s been unable to absorb punishment as in the past.
Jared Cannonier is one of the most explosive fighters in the promotion as a whole and comes with heavy hands. Additionally, he effectively navigates a solid ground game, making him a perennial threat no matter where the fight goes. Given Robert’s diminishing ability to take a shot, ‘The Killa Gorilla’ is going to be a threat throughout the contest.
Cannonier’s calculated ferocity makes him a dangerous outing for Whittaker, who’s unlikely to withstand his crushing power and hand speed. Although the fight is evenly matched on the ground, Jared’s time to take his crack towards gold is upon us.
Prediction: Jared Cannonier to claim a second-round KO
