Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight sluggers Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page will throw down this weekend (Sat., Aug. 16, 2025) at UFC 319 inside United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
After a couple tough losses in 2024 to elite opposition, former title challenger Cannonier rebounded with one of the more entertaining Apex main events of the year, smashing “Robocop” in round three to complete a dramatic comeback (re-live that here). At 41 years old, it’s not clear how much time Cannonier has left as a high-level UFC fighter, but he remains a threat as of this moment.
Page, meanwhile, joined UFC late in his career, but “Venom” is having fun with it. After coming up short to Ian Garry slowed his title dreams, Page opted to jump weight classes, taking on any interesting striker UFC is willing to throw his direction. Has the career Welterweight bitten off more than he can chew here with a former Heavyweight knockout artist?
Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 01: (R-L) Michael Page of England elbows Shara Magomedov of Russia in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at anb Arena on February 01, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Cannonier vs. Page Betting Odds
Jared Cannonier victory: +160Jared Cannonier via TKO/KO/DQ: TBDJared Cannonier via submission: TBDJared Cannonier via decision: TBDMichael Page victory: -192Michael Page via TKO/KO/DQ: TBDMichael Page via submission: TBDMichael Page via decision: TBDOdds via DraftKings Sportsbook
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 15: Jared Cannonier reacts after a victory against Gregory Rodrigues of Brazil in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Cannonier is a formidable knockout artist with interesting wrinkles to his stand up attack. He likes to work with shifting combinations, as well as varying up the speed with which he throws his shots. In addition, he has some very nasty low kicks and an underrated dirty boxing game.
Cannonier is going to face the same challenges as all Page opponents here. “MVP” is a bit taller and longer, and his whole game is built to capitalize on those physical attributes and his general ability to close distance quickly. If Cannonier tries to strike like this is a normal opponent, he’s going to be a step behind the Karate master.
Cannonier has to be smart here. Those low kicks could be a great weapon, but Page is pretty accustomed to people trying to kick his legs. I’d rather see Cannonier focus on his clinch work and close distance fighter. He’s not a good enough wrestler to consistently drag Page down to the canvas, but he’s the bigger and stronger man. If he shoots merely to clinch, he could then rough Page up and break with combinations.
It’s not easy to get to Page, so Cannonier has to slow him down and make those exchanges count.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 01: Michael Page of England throws a flying knee against Shara Magomedov of Russia in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at anb Arena on February 01, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Page is a master of his craft. His long, side-on stance allows him to leap forward and backward, as well as explode into sudden kicks and jump knees. He forces everyone to play his game of long distance kickboxing, and very few are equipped in MMA to deal with his approach.
His wrestling and jiu-jitsu are pretty mediocre, but that won’t matter here.
The really key for Page is earning Cannonier’s respect. “Killa Gorilla” is a heavy hitter who’s been in there with the best Middleweights on the planet many times over. If he doesn’t think the Welterweight can hurt him, he’s going to swarm Page and refuse to allow him any breathing room — not optimal.
Early on, Page has to find his right hand. There might be risk in committing before he feels confident, but it’s necessary. If he can crack Cannonier with a solid shot early and prove that he can hurt the bigger man, Cannonier suddenly has to respect his feints and will find himself playing Page’s game.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 01: Michael Page of England prepares to face Shara Magomedov of Russia in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at anb Arena on February 01, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Cannonier vs. Page Prediction
There are realistic paths to victory for both men, but I am not going to pick a striker against Michael Page until he starts to lose some of his speed. The argument for Cannonier seems to be that he’ll wrestle to victory, but good takedown defense doesn’t equate to strong wrestling offense. Page knows how to shuck off and avoid the wrestling of non-elite takedown artists, and I would put Cannonier in that category.
Furthermore, Page is a fast Welterweight. Opposite a 41-year-old Middleweight — even a great, seemingly ageless one — I’m expect that quickness gap to be massive and nearly impossible to overcome.
Prediction: Page via decision
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MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE CAR CRASH! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., Aug. 16, 2025, with a blockbuster title fight set to headline UFC 319 from inside United Center in Chicago, Illinois. In UFC 319’s PPV main event, Middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis, defends his title against undefeated No. 3-ranked contender, Khamzat Chimaev, in a high-stakes, five-round battle of unbeaten UFC records. UFC 319’s PPV co-main event features a Featherweight showdown between Lerone Murphy and promotional newcomer, Aaron Pico, a high-profile free-agent signing stepping in on short notice. UFC 319 will also showcase a Welterweight clash between Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates, a Middleweight bout pitting Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page, a Flyweight matchup featuring Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura, and much more! UFC 319’s start time is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (“Early Prelims”), 8 p.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard), and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card)
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