MMA Match Preview: Jared Cannonier (18-8) vs. Michael Page (23-3)

Fight Details

Attribute	Info
Event	UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev
Matchup	Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page
Division	Middleweight (185 lbs)
Date	Saturday, August 16, 2025
Venue	United Center, Chicago, IL
Broadcast	ESPN+, Pay-Per-View
Bout Placement	Main Card

Fighter Breakdown

Jared “Killa Gorilla” Cannonier

Record: 18–8 (11–8 UFC)

Age: 41

Height/Reach: 5’11” / 77.5″

Recent Form: KO win over Gregory Rodrigues (UFC Fight Night 251)

Style: Power striker with experience across heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight

Key Traits:

Carries knockout power from years at higher weight classes

Tactical shot selection and leg kicks

Motivated for one final title run

Michael “Venom” Page

Record: 23–3 (2–1 UFC)

Age: 38

Height/Reach: 6’3″ / 79.0″

Recent Form: UD win over Shara Magomedov; loss to Ian Machado Garry

Style: Unorthodox striker with elite movement and speed

Key Traits:

Elusive footwork and highlight-reel striking

Improved takedown defense

Former Bellator standout with crossover appeal

Tactical Preview

Cannonier’s Path to Victory:

Pressure early with leg kicks and clinch work

Exploit Page’s tendency to leave openings when retreating

Use wrestling if striking exchanges favor Page’s speed

Page’s Path to Victory:

Maintain distance and use lateral movement

Target straight shots down the middle to counter Cannonier’s looping hooks

Avoid prolonged clinch exchanges and takedown attempts

“He’s super powerful, very smart in how he picks his shots,” Page said. “But I still don’t believe he’s anywhere near as fast as me—and that’s what he’s going to struggle with.”

Cannonier responded: “I’m not going in there to solve the MVP puzzle. I’m going in there to perform to the best of my ability.”

Rankings & Implications

Fighter	Middleweight Rank (Global)
Jared Cannonier	#8
Michael Page	Unranked (Middleweight), formerly #15 at Welterweight

A win for Cannonier keeps him in title contention

A win for Page would be his biggest UFC victory to date and could vault him into the top 10