UFC middleweights Jared Cannonier and Sean Strickland will close out the year with redemption on their minds, as the two will headline the main event of the last UFC Fight Night card of 2022. The card will take place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas on Saturday (7 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with prelims at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+).
Cannonier, ranked No. 5 in ESPN's divisional rankings, lost to Israel Adesanya in a middleweight title fight at UFC 276 in July. Strickland, ranked No. 9, lost to current division champion Alex Pereira via first-round knockout on the same fight card. What's at stake in Las Vegas? Possibly a shot at title contention in 2023 with a win versus falling into the middle of the pack with a loss.
Brett Okamoto spoke to veteran MMA coach and UFC analyst Din Thomas to get his perspective on the matchup. Ian Parker and Reed Kuhn add their betting insights and analysis for the main event and other intriguing fights on the card.
Editor's note: Responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.