Jared Cannonier beat Sean Strickland via a split decision in their main event at UFC Vegas 66. While Cannonier got back in the win column, Strickland is now on a 2 fight-losing streak, which isn’t great for his resume. The results did not impress the mouthy middleweight, who is on a losing streak for the first time in his career. Earlier, he also lost against Alex Pereira. With a new loss, Strickland is 1-2 in 2022 with his only win coming against Jack Hermansson in February.
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Cannonier was coming off a title fight loss against Israel Adesanya. Owing to both the fighter’s recent losses, Cannonier versus Strickland was a highly anticipated fight.
Fans react to Cannonier vs. Strickland at UFC Vegas 66
The middleweight main event had a lot of eyes as a win could catapult either fighter into the title fight conversation. #3 ranked Jared Cannonier and #7 ranked Sean Strickland started off rather slow. However, as the fight progressed, both fighters looked evenly matched on their feet.
Both fighters went ahead and threw down in the final round, but it was Cannonier who slightly edged out Strickland. Meanwhile, several fans and pros raised eyebrows at the decision on social media
Street Fighter II is the only true scoring system.
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) December 18, 2022
I guess it’s good I’m not a judge, good fight, but I thought Strickland’s offense was more consistent. #UFCVegas66
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) December 18, 2022
split decision but all 49-46s?? pic.twitter.com/0qTkkINUEA
— Conner Burks (@connerburks) December 18, 2022
Strickland is pissed, but he should’ve showed more urgency. 49-46 going opposite ways, weird cards again. @VerdictMMA what you got?
— Funky (@Benaskren) December 18, 2022
Hearing 49-46 either way will always sound strange, but that was a close fight.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) December 18, 2022
MMA judging is hilarious
— Brock’s Load (@_MMAMindset) December 18, 2022
49-46 x2 for Cannonier
49-46 x1 for StricklandMMA judging has been INSANE to end the year. #UFCVegas66
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) December 18, 2022
After the win, Cannonier expressed his desire to fight someone ranked above him. ‘The Killa Gorilla’ wants to make another shot at the title and wants whoever will help him get closer to it.
“You know you guys, I’m f—ing sore loser,” Strickland said later on his social media. “Hat’s off to Jared, but again you have judges that don’t know how to f—ing do their job. If you actually look at the scorecards and you look at the significant strikes, you look at how many times I wobbled him.”
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He continued, “And you know, you have people — experts in the field coming up to me — and saying, ‘Yeah, man, I don’t know how you lost that one. You landed way more, the scorecards should say it.”
He further added, “So anyway, so I’m going to shut the f—k up now and get off my soapbox. Thank you guys, for supporting me. Thank you, UFC. Back to the drawing board, on to the next one. Thank you, guys.”
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How did you score that fight? Do you agree with the judges and the scorecards? Or is Strickland right to be frustrated? Let us know in the comments below.
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