Jared Cannonier, backup fighter for the main event title match at UFC 293, revealed that he was ready to step in to replace Sean Strickland, who nearly got pulled from the event due to an altercation with a fan, but ended up not needing to take over despite the close call.
Jared Cannonier remains unsure about the proximity he reached to a second title shot but indicates he was ready for it if it had materialized. Upon UFC 293, Cannonier served as the backup fighter for a main event that featured a title matchup between Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya. He remembers having combated both men the previous year, having encountered a defeat against Adesanya and notching a victory over Strickland in a December main event. He, therefore, felt prepared to step in if the need arose, which almost happened during the fight week after an incident with Strickland and a fan nearly led to his removal by the UFC from the event.
Cannonier recounts running into Strickland during the check-ins and learning about the said incident of Strickland delivering a punch to a fan who supposedly provoked him. He explains how despite such altercation, the potential for the incident to escalate, leading to legal charges, and possibly jeopardize the fight hung over him. However, he continued with his routine, staying prepared and ready to make weight and fight if called in.
According to Cannonier, the matter got so serious that his head coach, John Crouch, before his eyes was about to board a flight to Sydney to corner him. Circumstances however cooled down, and Strickland retained his spot. He went on to pull off one of the most stunning upsets in the history of mixed martial arts by capturing the middleweight title from Adesanya.
Cannonier, who observed the match from ringside, shares his fascination with the outcome of the fight, considering Strickland’s usual fighting style had low chances of success against Adesanya. He further narrates the thrill of the entire event, which for him culminated in him achieving the weight cut and almost getting a fight. Reflecting on the surprising turn of events, Cannonier believes that he is in an improved position for a future title fight, especially given his winning record against the newly crowned champion, Strickland.