Jared Cannonier's impressive performance this weekend has brought out the MMA conspiracy theorists, with some now accusing the middleweight contender of being on performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
Cannonier and Marvin Vettori headined UFC Vegas 75 and put on a Fight of the Night performance. The bout went the distance and after a fairly back-and-forth first round, during which 'The Italian Dream' rocked 'The Killa Gorilla', the 39-year-old quickly recovered and dominated the rest of the fight.
Jared Cannonier eventually hand his hand raised via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 48-46) as well as setting a brand new UFC middleweight record for significant strikes thrown in a fight (241).
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Following Cannonier's performance, which has seen him return to the 185-pound title fold, some MMA fans have questioned his legitmacy. One fan even claimed that the only reason a 39-year-old would be able to fight as well as him was because he was taking EPO.
They wrote:
"Setting the significant strike at 39...Did not gas the entire fight...Has never had this good cardio or high workrate in his entire career...THIS BEGS THE QUESTION: Is Jared Cannonier the new CEO of EPO?"
Fans have since been responding to the above post, with a mix of those defending the No.4-ranked middleweight or similarly accusing him:
"Yes. 39, being jacked, big insane cardio. Is that even a question?"
Another fan claimed that Jared Cannonier and bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili should betweem themselves for the 'CEO of EPO' title:
"Him and Merab need to fight for that title."
Check out more fan reactions below:
Jared Cannonier open to fighting Khamzat Chimaev on one condition
Following his dominant performance against Marvin Vettori, Jared Cannonier spoke to the media at the post-fight press conference.
During the presser, Cannonier was asked whether or not he'd be open to facing Khamzat Chimaev should the 29-year-old fight at middleweight next. According to 'The Killa Gorilla', it's a fight he's open to but only if it was a No.1 contender bout.
He explained:
"He's not even ranked in middleweight, is he? So, I mean, I know he's popular. Everybody wants to see him do his thing and stuff like that. If they called me and say, 'Hey, Khamzat for [number one] contender's match?' That's a yes. I'm trying to get to the title. I'm not just fighting to entertain you people."
Cannonier added:
I know you guys want to see it. I know it'll be a good fight. If that fight gets me the title shot, yes. I just beat number three, I'm not looking back, I'm looking forward. So, if Dana [White] and Hunter [Campbell] say, '[Khamzat's] between you and the champion, that's something we can talk about," said Jared Cannonier.
Catch the 39-year-old's comments here: