At UFC 319, Michael ‘Venom’ Page secured a notable win against Jared Cannonier by showcasing outstanding precision and tactical striking. The fight took place recently, with Page impressing fans by controlling distance expertly and choosing his attacks carefully to limit Cannonier’s offensive chances.
Page, a skilled British striker, demonstrated exceptional timing and movement throughout the middleweight bout. After moving up from welterweight, he maintained strong form, following a previous victory against Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov. His karate-based style continuously confused Cannonier, highlighting his mastery of range and angle adjustment.
Two Significant Knockdowns Define Page’s Dominance
One of the most memorable moments came early when Page capitalized on Cannonier’s lowered guard with a powerful right hand that sent the American fighter to the mat. Despite the opportunity to finish, Page chose to step back and control the fight rather than aggressively pursuing a knockout.
In the second round, Page again landed a clean counter that dropped Cannonier, combining it with a precise three-punch sequence, all of which connected perfectly. Though less dramatic than the first knockdown, this clearly disrupted Cannonier’s rhythm, forcing him to retreat and defend carefully.
Cannonier’s Resilience and Late Fight Surge
Despite suffering two knockdowns, Cannonier managed to take Page down during the match and worked from a dominant position, particularly in the third round. Around four minutes into the final round, Cannonier gained top control and delivered several impactful strikes, later transitioning to half guard. Though Cannonier attempted a kimura submission and wrist lock, Page skillfully escaped both submission attempts and stood up promptly.
Even with Cannonier’s strong late performance, his efforts were insufficient to overturn Page’s early dominance. The judges unanimously awarded the fight 29-28 in favor of Michael ‘Venom’ Page, confirming his grip on the middleweight division.
Post-Fight Thoughts from Michael ‘Venom’ Page
Reflecting on the match, Page acknowledged the difficulty he faced in the third round, admitting a tactical error while pushing for a finish. He said,
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I wanted to push it in the third round and made a silly mistake,
”
before adding,
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Bloody hell, he’s so strong on top.
”
—Michael ‘Venom’ Page.
He also hinted at his future weight class plans, expressing openness to competing again at welterweight if the right fights come his way but confirming his presence in the middleweight category for now.
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I still have a lot of thoughts about 170. If there’s great fights like that to be had, you’ll see me here [middleweight] again. The one and only; MVP.
”
—Michael ‘Venom’ Page.
The Significance of This Win and What Lies Ahead
This victory underlines Michael ‘Venom’ Page’s rising status in the UFC’s middleweight ranks, with his precise striking and tactical fighting style making him a formidable opponent. His ability to score multiple knockdowns against a durable striker like Jared Cannonier adds to his growing reputation. Moving forward, Page’s willingness to consider fights in different weight classes keeps fans eager to see how his career will progress in the coming bouts.