UNLEASHED 
The UFC middleweight arena is abuzz with a new potential face-off. Number 3 ranked Jared Cannonier has surfaced as a prospective opponent for Khamzat Chimaev. Brendan Allen, fresh off his stunning submission of Bruno Silva at UFC Jacksonville, threw Cannonier’s name into the mix of desired opponents during his post-fight callout.
Why Cannonier’s Title Shot Might Prove Problematic for Allen
There’s a hurdle, however, in Allen’s aspirations. As per Allen’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, Cannonier, who has recently demonstrated his formidable abilities against Marvin Vettori, already has his next fight scheduled. In Allen’s post-fight interview with Megan Olivi, he admitted to knowing that Cannonier probably already had a fight lined up, but chose to call him out anyway.
The Khamzat Chimaev Rumors: Smoke and Mirrors or a Glimpse of the Future?
Intriguingly, both Allen and Olivi hinted towards a potential bout between Cannonier and Chimaev. Chimaev, who last scored a quick win over Kevin Holland in September 2021, is set to make a comeback this October when UFC moves to Abu Dhabi. Initial rumors pointed towards a bout with Paulo Costa, but with Costa now scheduled to face Ikram Aliskerov, the door may have opened for Cannonier. If these speculations come to fruition, Chimaev could be thrust into immediate title contention at 185 pounds. UFC fans will eagerly await official announcements regarding the futures of “Borz” and “The Killa Gorilla.”
