Jared Cannonier

Jared Cannonier Bio

Jared Christopher Cannonier, born on March 16, 1984, in Dallas, Texas, is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Known inside the cage as Tha Killa Gorilla, Cannonier has built a reputation for heavy hands, durable defense, and the willingness to test himself against the very best opponents in the sport. With a professional record of 18 wins and 9 losses, he has fought across three weight classes and remains a respected contender in one of the UFC’s most stacked divisions.

Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall with a 77.5-inch reach and an orthodox stance, Cannonier brings a dangerous blend of size and athleticism to every matchup. He currently fights out of Phoenix, Arizona, where he trains at the Legacy Jiu Jitsu Alaska MMA Lab. His professional career, which began in 2011, has carried him from regional shows in Alaska to main events under the bright lights of the UFC, establishing him as one of the most experienced and well-rounded veterans in the middleweight ranks.

Early Life and Background

Jared Christopher Cannonier was born on March 16, 1984, in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in the United States before eventually making his way to the Pacific Northwest. Details about his family and formal education are not widely documented, but his path to combat sports was shaped by a period of military service that helped instill the discipline that later defined his fighting career.

Prior to launching a professional mixed martial arts career, Cannonier served in the United States Army, completing three years of duty before being discharged after testing positive for marijuana. Following his time in the military, he relocated to Alaska, where he found work and began training in mixed martial arts. The harsh environment and tight-knit regional fight scene in Alaska gave him an early proving ground and helped him develop the toughness and work ethic that have become trademarks of his style in the octagon.

Path to MMA

Cannonier began his amateur mixed martial arts career in early 2011, scoring knockouts in his first two appearances. He made his professional debut in June 2011 in Alaska, choosing the rugged regional circuit as the foundation for his development as a fighter. Over the next five years, he fought sporadically but effectively, amassing an undefeated professional record of 7-0 while gaining experience against a variety of styles.

His early career included stints at Heavyweight and, briefly, Light Heavyweight, divisions that allowed him to use his natural size and power. During this developmental phase, Cannonier steadily built his striking arsenal, eventually earning a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to complement his standup skills. By 2014, his regional success had attracted the attention of the world’s largest MMA organization, setting the stage for his transition to the national stage.

Jared Cannonier Career

Early Career (2011-2014)

Jared Cannonier launched his professional mixed martial arts journey in Alaska in 2011, wasting little time establishing himself as a finisher. Competing primarily as a Heavyweight in his formative years, he leaned on natural strength and developing technique to navigate regional opponents. His run included knockouts and submissions, showing early signs of the versatile threat he would later bring to bigger stages.

By the time he had assembled a 7-0 professional record, Cannonier had gained valuable experience and a growing reputation. His performances in smaller promotions convinced the UFC that he was ready for the next step. In October 2014, news broke that he had signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, opening a new chapter in his career and introducing him to a global audience.

UFC Heavyweight Era (2015-2016)

Jared Cannonier made his UFC debut against Shawn Jordan in a Heavyweight bout at UFC 182 on January 3, 2015. The fight did not go his way, as he was finished by knockout in the first round. After an injury forced him out of a scheduled August 2015 booking, he returned more than a year later and picked up his first UFC victory by stopping Cyril Asker with elbows and punches at UFC Fight Night: Rothwell vs. dos Santos on April 10, 2016. The performance earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus.

UFC Light Heavyweight Run (2016-2018)

Dropping to Light Heavyweight, Cannonier faced Ion Cuțelaba at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale on December 3, 2016, and earned a unanimous decision in a bout that also won him and Cuțelaba the Fight of the Night award. The win extended his bonus streak to two straight. He then faced Glover Teixeira at UFC 208 in February 2017 and lost by unanimous decision, a setback that he answered by stopping Nick Roehrick via third-round TKO at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale in July 2017.

Late 2017 brought another step up in competition when he met Jan Błachowicz at UFC on Fox 26, losing by unanimous decision. In May 2018, he was stopped by Dominick Reyes in the first round at UFC Fight Night 129, prompting a major career decision. Following the loss, Cannonier announced a permanent move down to Middleweight, a division he believed suited his frame and conditioning far better than the heavier classes.

UFC Middleweight Era (2018-Present)

Jared Cannonier’s Middleweight debut produced one of the signature moments of his career. In November 2018 at UFC 230, he stopped David Branch via technical knockout in round two, earning another Performance of the Night bonus. The victory signaled a fresh start in a new division and quickly positioned him for marquee opportunities. On May 11, 2019, he faced former middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 237 and walked away with a first-round TKO win after a leg kick left Silva unable to continue, cementing his arrival as a contender.

The momentum carried into a main event against Jack Hermansson at UFC on ESPN+ 18 in September 2019, where Cannonier scored a second-round TKO and added a third Performance of the Night bonus. A scheduled bout with Robert Whittaker at UFC 248 fell through due to injury, but the pair eventually met at UFC 254 on October 24, 2020, with Whittaker winning by unanimous decision. In 2021, Cannonier outpointed Kelvin Gastelum at UFC on ESPN 29 and, in February 2022, knocked out Derek Brunson in round two at UFC 271 to claim another Performance of the Night award.

That victory set up a UFC Middleweight Championship challenge against Israel Adesanya at UFC 276 on July 2, 2022, where Cannonier fell by unanimous decision. He rebounded with a split decision win over Sean Strickland at UFC Fight Night 216 in December 2022, then turned in one of the most decorated performances of his career against Marvin Vettori at UFC on ESPN 47 in June 2023, earning a unanimous decision while setting the UFC middleweight record for significant strikes landed in a single bout, with 241. The fight also brought him a Fight of the Night bonus.

After a torn MCL forced him out of a December 2023 booking, Cannonier returned in June 2024 and dropped a controversial fourth-round technical knockout to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC on ESPN 57. He followed that with a unanimous decision loss to Caio Borralho in the main event of UFC on ESPN 62, a fight that nonetheless earned him another Fight of the Night award. On February 15, 2025, he headlined UFC Fight Night 251 against Gregory Rodrigues and secured a fourth-round TKO win, adding yet another Fight of the Night bonus. Most recently, he faced Michael Page at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025, and lost by unanimous decision. He is currently scheduled to meet Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC Fight Night 281 on July 18, 2026.

Style and Strengths

Jared Cannonier is best known as a power striker with a deep bag of kicks, punches, and elbows that he can deploy from multiple ranges. His heavy hands have produced multiple knockouts and technical knockouts, while his brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gives him a reliable ground game whenever fights go to the mat. The combination of size, technical growth, and a disciplined training environment at Legacy Jiu Jitsu Alaska MMA Lab has allowed him to remain dangerous well into his forties.

Notable Events and Milestones

Among Jared Cannonier’s signature moments are his first-round TKO of Anderson Silva at UFC 237, his main-event knockout of Jack Hermansson, his record-setting 241 significant strikes against Marvin Vettori, and a string of bonus-winning performances that have made him one of the most consistent earners of post-fight awards in the middleweight division. His willingness to face top-tier opposition, from Whittaker to Adesanya, has defined his reputation as a perennial contender.

Jared Cannonier Career Wins

Across his professional career, Jared Cannonier has recorded 18 victories against 9 losses, with his wins spread across three major divisions. He has earned three knockouts, two submissions, and six decisions, showcasing a balanced finishing ability. His UFC tenure alone has produced multiple Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses, reflecting his status as one of the division’s most consistently entertaining performers.

UFC Highlights

Cannonier’s UFC victories include a first-round TKO of Cyril Asker, a unanimous decision over Ion Cuțelaba, a third-round TKO of Nick Roehrick, a second-round TKO of David Branch, a first-round TKO of Anderson Silva, a second-round TKO of Jack Hermansson, a unanimous decision win over Kelvin Gastelum, a second-round knockout of Derek Brunson, a split decision over Sean Strickland, a unanimous decision over Marvin Vettori, and a fourth-round TKO of Gregory Rodrigues. Several of these wins, particularly the finishes of Silva and Hermansson, came in main events or featured bouts that elevated his profile across the sport.

Other Wins and Performances

Before joining the UFC, Cannonier built a 7-0 professional record on the regional circuit, including a series of finishes that demonstrated his potential. He also claimed a notable amateur run to open his career, winning his first two fights by knockout, which helped set the tone for the power-punching style that has followed him throughout his professional journey.

Jared Cannonier Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Public information about Jared Cannonier’s immediate family remains limited, and he has not spoken at length in widely available sources about his parents or siblings. What is known is that his early life in Dallas, Texas, and his subsequent years of military service shaped the grounded, disciplined mindset that has carried into his professional career.

Personal Life

Jared Christopher Cannonier is an American citizen who was born in Dallas, Texas, and currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona. Before becoming a professional fighter, he spent three years serving in the United States Army, an experience he has frequently credited with building the structure and resilience required for a long career in mixed martial arts. Following his discharge, he worked in Alaska while launching his fighting career, eventually settling in Arizona to train and compete full time.

2025 Season Performance

Jared Cannonier’s 2025 campaign began with a headlining performance against Gregory Rodrigues at UFC Fight Night 251 on February 15, where he earned a fourth-round TKO victory and added another Fight of the Night bonus to his resume. The win reasserted his place in the middleweight conversation and provided momentum heading into the middle of the year.

That momentum was tested in August, when he faced Michael Page at UFC 319 on August 16 and dropped a unanimous decision. Despite the loss, Cannonier remained a ranked middleweight contender and was soon matched against rising British fighter Christian Leroy Duncan, with the bout scheduled for UFC Fight Night 281 on July 18, 2026. The booking signaled the UFC’s continued confidence in his drawing power and his ability to test emerging talent.

Looking ahead, Cannonier’s mix of knockout power, technical jiu-jitsu, and veteran experience makes him a dangerous opponent for any middleweight aiming to climb the ladder. With a strong team at Legacy Jiu Jitsu Alaska MMA Lab and a long resume of high-level bouts, he remains firmly in the mix for marquee opportunities as the division continues to evolve.