Jared Cannonier agreed to fight Michael Page at UFC 319 with a measure of uncertainty, despite understanding the event’s significance. Known for his resilience, Cannonier recently ended a losing streak by defeating Gregory Rodrigues at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas earlier this year, expecting that victory to propel him closer to a middleweight title shot.

While Cannonier respects Michael Page, the former Bellator standout, he believes Page’s experience and competition level don’t match the impressive list of opponents Cannonier has faced throughout his middleweight career. This perspective contributes to Cannonier’s mixed feelings about the fight arrangement.

Maintaining Focus Amid Questionable Matchmaking

Despite his doubts, Cannonier emphasized that he remains focused on the task ahead, treating the fight as a standard professional challenge.

It’s all about the next fight, to be honest. It’s not that. He may be unranked, but I don’t know. I can’t really make any reasoning behind the matchmaking. It’s still an exciting fight.

—Jared Cannonier, UFC Fighter

He acknowledged the uniqueness of the matchup but remains determined to make the best of the opportunity, honoring Michael Page’s reputation as a renowned and exciting fighter to watch.

I’ve watched ‘MVP’ for a long time. He’s a world-renowned fighter, and we all know who he is. We all love to watch him fight. So, it’s still a big fight and with any fight, a dominant finish will get me back on track of where I want to go.

—Jared Cannonier, UFC Fighter

Jared Cannonier’s Path Toward the Middleweight Title

Cannonier’s primary goal is clear: securing a decisive win that will revitalize his pursuit of the UFC middleweight title. He recognizes the significance of the UFC 319 event and the pressure that comes with fighting on a prominent card.

I’m focused on getting back to the title,

Cannonier said.

I understand it’s a big fight, it’s on a big card. So, there is some weight there.

—Jared Cannonier, UFC Fighter

This bout takes place on August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, where the main event features reigning middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis defending his title against undefeated challenger Khamzat Chimaev. Cannonier’s fight against Page serves as one of the key matchups on this high-profile pay-per-view card.

Upcoming Developments in the MMA World

Other notable stories in MMA include warnings for Tom Aspinall ahead of his fight with Ciryl Gane, a strong message sent by a UFC lightweight title contender toward Paddy Pimblett, and speculation around the winner of the Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2 bout and their next opponent. Additionally, there is buzz surrounding the possible MMA return of a UFC Hall of Famer.

These ongoing developments provide a dynamic backdrop as fighters like Cannonier aim to make their mark in the sport’s competitive landscape.