Jared Cannonier is aiming for redemption and a renewed run at the UFC middleweight title when he meets Christian Leroy Duncan in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 281 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Cannonier enters the matchup coming off a decision loss to Michael Page in August. He previously defeated Sean Strickland by split decision in the main event of UFC Fight Night 216 in December 2022, and is 3-3 since his title shot loss against Israel Adesanya.
Asked if he was satisfied with just getting his hands on Duncan, Cannonier was blunt: "No," before adding, "Hell no. I want to win – all three rounds. Not just when I get my hands on him. Absolutely not. I guess you could say this is my redemption fight against the U.K."
Cannonier made it clear his focus is on improvement and another crack at gold. "We always want to win every fight. I'm not making any association between this and the last. Any associations I do make is becauase I'm gameplanning to overcome." He added, "I'm here for all possibilities to get that belt," highlighting his long-term goal.
Cannonier holds a professional record of 18-9 in MMA and 11-9 in the UFC. Duncan enters with a 14-2 MMA record and a 7-2 mark in the UFC, as Cannonier looks to turn back the rising contender and keep himself in the title conversation.
