Jared Christopher Cannonier Bio
Jared Christopher Cannonier is an American professional mixed martial artist born on March 16, 1984, in Dallas, Texas. He competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is recognized for his striking power and resilience in the octagon. As of October 21, 2025, Cannonier holds a professional record of 18 wins and 9 losses.
Early Life and Background
Jared Cannonier was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Before beginning his career in mixed martial arts, he served three years in the United States Army. After his discharge, Cannonier worked in Alaska, where he eventually started training in MMA. His early exposure to combat sports and military discipline helped shape his fighting style and work ethic.
Path to MMA
Cannonier began his amateur mixed martial arts career in early 2011, quickly winning his first two fights by knockout. He made his professional MMA debut in June 2011 in Alaska and fought sporadically over the following five years, compiling an undefeated record of 7–0 before signing with the UFC. His transition from amateur to professional ranks was marked by steady development and increasing recognition.
Jared Cannonier Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
Starting his professional career in 2011, Cannonier fought primarily in regional promotions in Alaska. He amassed a 7–0 record, showcasing his knockout power and finishing ability. His performances attracted attention from larger organizations, culminating in his signing with the UFC in October 2014.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2015–Present)
Cannonier made his UFC debut on January 3, 2015, facing Shawn Jordan in a heavyweight bout at UFC 182, where he suffered a first-round knockout loss. After an 18-month layoff, he returned in April 2016 with a knockout win over Cyril Asker, earning his first Performance of the Night bonus. He then moved down to light heavyweight, securing a unanimous decision victory against Ion Cuțelaba and earning Fight of the Night honors.
In 2017, Cannonier faced top contenders including Glover Teixeira and Jan Błachowicz, experiencing mixed results. He transitioned to the middleweight division in 2018, where he found notable success. Cannonier defeated David Branch by technical knockout at UFC 230, earning another Performance of the Night award. He continued his rise by defeating former middleweight champion Anderson Silva via TKO in 2019 and Jack Hermansson by second-round TKO the same year.
In October 2020, Cannonier faced Robert Whittaker for a high-profile bout but lost by unanimous decision despite fighting with a broken arm. He rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Kelvin Gastelum in 2021 and a knockout victory against Derek Brunson in early 2022, earning another Performance of the Night bonus. Cannonier challenged Israel Adesanya for the UFC Middleweight Championship in July 2022 but lost via unanimous decision.
He continued competing at a high level, winning split decision bouts and setting a UFC middleweight record for significant strikes landed in a fight against Marvin Vettori in 2023. Despite suffering injuries and some recent losses, Cannonier remains a top contender in the middleweight division.
Legacy and Fighting Style
Known by his nickname “Tha Killa Gorilla,” Jared Cannonier fights with an orthodox stance and possesses a reach of 197 cm. He is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is currently affiliated with Legacy Jiu Jitsu Alaska MMA Lab in Phoenix, Arizona. Cannonier is recognized for his powerful striking, durability, and ability to finish fights both by knockout and submission.
Jared Cannonier Career Wins
Jared Cannonier has accumulated 18 professional wins across multiple weight classes, including heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight divisions. His victories include 3 knockouts, 2 submissions, and 6 decision wins, demonstrating versatility and finishing ability.
UFC Highlights
Since joining the UFC in 2015, Cannonier has earned several Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses. His notable wins include technical knockouts over David Branch, Anderson Silva, and Jack Hermansson. He has also set records for significant strikes landed in middleweight fights, underscoring his striking prowess.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining the UFC, Cannonier maintained an undefeated 7–0 record in regional promotions, primarily in Alaska. These early victories laid the foundation for his successful transition to the world’s premier MMA organization.
Jared Cannonier Family
Personal Life
Jared Cannonier resides in Phoenix, Arizona. Public details about his family, including spouse or children, are not widely available. His background includes military service, which has influenced his discipline and approach to mixed martial arts.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Jared Cannonier remains an active competitor in the UFC middleweight division. He secured a technical knockout win over Gregory Rodrigues in February, earning Fight of the Night honors. Despite suffering an MCL tear that forced him out of a scheduled December 2023 bout, Cannonier returned to fight Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho, experiencing a controversial stoppage loss and a unanimous decision defeat, respectively. He continues to demonstrate resilience and competitiveness at the highest level of MMA.