Jared Cannonier targets Sean Strickland rematch after UFC Fight Night win

Jared Cannonier eyes Sean Strickland trilogy after UFC Fight Night 281 win

Sean Strickland’s 2022 split-decision loss to Jared Cannonier lit a fire under the American’s career and set up his eventual UFC middleweight title run. Now Cannonier wants a rematch to finish what he started.

Cannonier, 34, returns to the octagon on **UFC Fight Night 281** at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. on **Saturday, July 19, 2025** (Paramount+). His co-main event opponent is Christian Leroy Duncan, a 14-2 striker from the U.K. The fight serves as Cannonier’s redemption after he dropped a decision to Michael Page last August.

What happened in their first fight?

Strickland and Cannonier met in the main event of **UFC Fight Night 216** on **December 10, 2022** in Las Vegas. Cannonier edged Strickland via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) to snap a two-fight losing streak. The win came just months after Cannonier lost a middleweight title shot to Israel Adesanya at UFC 276.

Why Cannonier thinks he changed Strickland’s career

Cannonier believes his victory over Strickland forced a shift in the American’s mentality. After losing to Alex Pereira in November 2021, Strickland rebounded with a dominant win over Imavov in April 2023, then knocked out Adesanya for the title in September 2023.

“He said after my fight, he felt he fought like a bitch,” Cannonier told media day. “His words, not mine. I think that really lit a fire in his ass.”

Strickland defended the belt against Dricus Du Plessis in March 2024 before losing it to Khamzat Chimaev in July 2024. He rebounded with a unanimous decision over Alexander Hernandez in November 2024.

What’s next for Cannonier?

A win over Duncan would put Cannonier back in line for another shot at the middleweight title. He’s 3-3 since the Adesanya loss and wants to avenge his only two UFC losses.

“I already got his card once,” Cannonier said. “I don’t know if he’s moved past it or not. But yeah, I did that, and I would like to do that again-even better this time.”

Cannonier aims to finish Strickland in a trilogy fight, stressing he wants more action than their first meeting allowed.

“I’d like to get the finish this time and actually get my hands on him a little bit more,” he said.