Cannonier vs Aliskerov Preview: Long-Haul Veteran Meets a Fast-Finishing Wrestler
Jared Cannonier's fights average 13:57. Ikram Aliskerov's average 6:10. Those two numbers say plenty about the middleweight bout between the division's #12 and #13 on November 21 at ABHA Arena in Doha, where UFC Fight Night opens with prelims at 6 p.m. local time and moves to the main card at 9 p.m.
Jared Cannonier ("Tha Killa Gorilla", 18-10), a 42-year-old American, has been in the UFC since January 2015. He is a puncher first: 11 of his wins came by knockout (61%), alongside two submissions and five decisions, with seven first-round finishes among them. He lands 4.25 significant strikes per minute and absorbs 4.36, with 49% accuracy and 56% striking defense. Most of his work is done standing (81%), with 12% in the clinch and 7% on the canvas. His knockdown average is 0.36, and he has no submission attempts in the UFC.
Russia's Ikram Aliskerov (18-2) is nine years younger and has been with the promotion since May 2023. He is busier and sharper on the feet, landing 5.56 significant strikes per minute at 61% accuracy and absorbing 4.01. His 1.04 knockdown average is nearly triple Cannonier's. His wins are spread fairly evenly: seven knockouts (39%), six decisions (33%) and five submissions (28%), plus eight first-round finishes. The biggest difference is on the mat, where he averages 3.82 takedowns and 0.70 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His takedown defense in the UFC is a perfect 100%.
Where the fight could turn:
- Aliskerov defends just 45% of significant strikes, against Cannonier's 56%.
- Cannonier stops 65% of takedown attempts, which matters against a man shooting 3.82 per 15 minutes.
- Size: Aliskerov is an inch taller at 72 inches, while Cannonier has the longer reach, 77.5 inches to 76.
Aliskerov's strike distribution is 82% standing, 16% on the ground and 3% in the clinch, so his ground work is real. The key question: can Aliskerov get this to the mat early, before Cannonier's power punishes his porous striking defense, or will the veteran drag it into the longer fight he is used to?
Want to catch the whole night? Be there for the 6 p.m. prelims. Grab your seats now: Cannonier vs Aliskerov tickets.