Jared Cannonier has revealed he has considered moving back up to light heavyweight and pursuing a rematch with Robert Whittaker. The middleweight contender discussed both possibilities in the wake of UFC Oklahoma City.
Jared Cannonier has publicly floated two significant career pivots following UFC Oklahoma City, revealing he has thought about returning to the light heavyweight division and seeking a second fight with Robert Whittaker.
Cannonier, known as "The Killa Gorilla," currently sits ranked ninth in the middleweight division with a professional record of 18 wins and 9 losses. The 42-year-old American, who trains out of MMA Lab, originally competed at light heavyweight before cutting to 185 pounds, and the idea of moving back up to 205 appears to remain in his thinking. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 77-inch reach, he brings a physically imposing presence to either weight class.
At middleweight, Cannonier has been a consistent and dangerous striker, landing 4.42 significant strikes per minute at a 49 percent accuracy rate. Those numbers reflect a fighter who generates real offensive output and connects cleanly, making him a credible threat at any level he competes.
The mention of Whittaker adds another layer of intrigue. A rematch with the former middleweight champion would be a high-profile booking, and Cannonier's willingness to discuss it publicly signals that the fight holds genuine appeal for him.
Why it matters
- A move to light heavyweight at 42 would be one of the more notable divisional shifts in recent memory, testing where Cannonier fits among a crowded 205-pound roster
- A Whittaker rematch at middleweight would carry serious ranking implications for a fighter sitting just outside the title picture at ninth
- Cannonier's striking volume and power make him a stylistically compelling opponent regardless of which direction he ultimately chooses
