Jared Cannonier (right)(image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

After having his 2023 campaign ended by a knee injury, Jared Cannonier has provided an update on his recovery and when he could be cleared to compete.

Cannonier had agreed to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 last October. But, the 39-year-old tore his MCL and was forced to undergo surgery. While speaking with Inside Fighting recently, Cannonier reported that he expects to be cleared to fight soon (quotes via MMA Junkie.com).

“I did see my surgeon, he did say that he would be able to clear me by the tail end of March,” Cannonier said. “So, another couple of months, a month and a half, I should be back clear to compete. In the next couple of weeks, maybe in the next month, I’m going to be really getting back to my grappling. That’s the only thing I haven’t really been doing is a lot of grappling.

“I’ve been continuing my strength and conditioning and working my striking and stuff like that. I’m still feeling sharp, I’m feeling stronger than ever. I’ve made a lot of improvements since my last fight, and even since the injury I’ve made more improvements. The injury occurred and I feel like when I came back, I’m a better fighter because I’ve been studying and still thinking about this thing.”

Cannonier (17-6) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Marvin Vettori in June, which was his only fight in 2023. In December, 2022, Cannonier recorded a split decision win over now former, middleweight champ, Sean Strickland.

Cannonier is currently ranked #4 in the UFC’s middleweight division.