UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is heavily favored in a potential title defence against Jared Cannonier, according to provisional odds released by Cloudbet.
The crypto sportsbook has given Adesanya odds of -286 to win versus Cannonier at +240.
Both men are fresh off victories at UFC 271 in Houston, Texas. Adesanya ground out a highly tactical decision against Robert Whittaker in the event’s main card, while Cannonier executed a brutal second-round stoppage over Derek Brunson.
In his post-fight interview, Cannonier specifically targeted UFC chief Dana White, who was sitting ringside, for a title shot. It was a call-out that won kudos from Dan Hooker, Adesanya’s teammate at City Kickboxing in Auckland, New Zealand.
“That’s how you get the job done. Because now that soundbite travels everywhere,” Hooker said on The AllStar MMA Live after the fights. “Everyone watching the show to watch Israel in the main event goes, ‘this guy had an impressive performance. And he said his name, this guy’s next. ‘”
“Yeah, so as far as I’m concerned that fight makes the most sense for the next title shot. Without a doubt.”