Jared Cannonier is willing to step in against Robert Whittaker at UFC 284 after Paulo Costa pulled out

Jared Cannonier headlined the last UFC event of 2022, as he defeated Sean Strickland via split decision in one of the most strangely judged cards in recent memory. Despite having three fights in 2022, the No.3-ranked middleweight recently shared that he is open to facing Robert Whittaker at UFC 284 after the latter's bout with Paulo Costa was canceled.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour, Cannonier was asked if he would be open to facing Whittaker, to which he replied:

"Hell yeah, I've never been to Australia before. I'd love to go there and fight Robert again, and hopefully get the job done this time."

Cannonier shared that the UFC has not reached out to him, leading Helwani to share his shock that the promotion hasn't looked for a replacement to keep Whittaker, one of Australia's most popular fighters, on the card. The No.3-ranked middleweight responded:

"Yeah, I don't get that either. I don't know. Maybe Robert wants to take time. I mean, maybe it was Robert's decision. Maybe he wants to take more time off then since he's not getting this, he wants to add more of the holidays, really go crazy for the holidays."

After being informed that it wasn't Whittaker's decision, Cannonier doubled down that he would be willing to step in. It remains to be seen if the UFC will reach out to him, or any other middleweight, in order to keep Whittaker on the card.

Watch Jared Cannonier's full comments on stepping in to face Robert Whittaker at UFC 284 below:

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Jared Cannonier previously discussed his desire to step in and face Robert Whittaker

Jared Cannonier's appearance on The MMA Hour was not the first time that he expressed his desire to step in for Paulo Costa and face Robert Whittaker at UFC 284. Speaking to Jimmy Smith of MMA on SiriusXM, the No.3-ranked middleweight stated:

"For me, with Costa and Whittaker, their match in limbo, I'm more than happy to step in. I love traveling. I don't mind traveling to Australia and getting the rematch, too, with Robert."

Cannonier and Whittaker previously met at the co-main event of UFC 254. The latter won the fight by unanimous decision as all three judges scored the bout 29-28 in his favor. With Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira likely destined for a rematch, Whittaker is the only available middleweight ranked higher than Cannonier.

Watch Jared Cannonier discuss potentially facing Robert Whittaker at UFC 284 below (starting at the 0:48 mark):