Jared Cannonier Tells UFC’s Middleweights to “Step Up And Fight”

After defeating the legendary Anderson Silva and middleweight contender, David Branch, Jared Cannonier is keen to book his next bout. Problem is, according to the former heavyweight, no one is stepping up to face him.

Cannonier moved to 185 last November and ook out the former WSOF champ, Branch. Then, last month, the 35-year-old earned a TKO win (due to injury) over the former 185 king Silva.

Well, recently Cannonier appeared on Ariel Helwani’s MMA show. While discussing his next bout, or lack thereof, Cannonier said this (quotes via MMA Mania):

“We are all fighters, we all have a job to do. Picking and choosing fights is one thing I have never done. I will fight whoever comes along. I understand people have to consider their career if they want to get to a title shot and all that stuff, but in this division if you want to get to a title shot, you are going to have to meet me eventually.”

“The longer you wait, the worse it’s going to be. So you better come see me now or wait until it’s going to be damn near impossible to beat me.”

It will be interesting to see who comes calling to fight Cannonier, or which middleweight answers the UFC’s call when it comes. Cannonier is in a somewhat unique predicament right now. He’s demonstrated he’s a ridiculously dangerous fighter, and since he’s ranked #10, any of the top contenders have little to gain by fighting him and a lot to lose.

Case in point, Cannonier called for a fight with Kelvin Gastelum, but will the #4 ranked fighter be on board?  It’s a fight that on paper, looks very promising from an entertainment perspective.

Gastelum is coming off a decision loss to Israel Adesanya in February, after defeating “Jacare” Souza and Michael Bisping in back-to-back bouts.