Joe Rogan’s glowing assessment of Michael Page has the welterweight contender buzzing as he heads into a high-stakes clash with Jared Cannonier at UFC 319, set for the United Center in Chicago.
Rogan lauded MVP’s creativity in the cage, highlighting Page’s unusual path and the evolving toolkit that now includes wrestling and jiu-jitsu. “He’s the biggest puzzle in the entire sport,” Rogan said above the chatter of fight-week hype. “That guy is a world champion in karate point fighting. He’s super tall for a welterweight and moves like nobody else. You can’t even touch him.” Rogan added that Page’s one-of-a-kind style remains a defining edge, even as he’s broadened his skill set to become a true mixed martial artist.
Page responded with his usual measured confidence, telling reporters that Rogan’s respect comes from understanding the uniqueness of his background. “There aren’t many fighters who come from my style of training within MMA,” he explained. “Finding training partners to replicate what I do is nearly impossible. The closest would be ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. There’s a scarcity of this style, which is why people don’t truly grasp it until they’re standing in front of us.”
The former Bellator welterweight title challenger has been impressive since moving to the UFC last summer, running 2-1 with a recent win over Shara Magomedov at middleweight in February. What began as a one-off at 185 pounds has increasingly looked like a permanent shift, as Page says he’s still adjusting to the new division. “I don’t quite feel like a middleweight yet,” he admitted. “I feel more like a welterweight who doesn’t have to cut too much.”
With Cannonier posing a different kind of pressure, Page aims to lean into his creative striking to keep his momentum, hoping to frustrate an opponent known for trudging forward and imposing a steady pace. “I expect him to bring the pressure exactly as I’ve seen from him before,” Page said. “There’ll be a lot of oncoming traffic. It’s up to you whether you want to run down that road with cars flying at you and how long before you’re knocked off balance.”
What makes this matchup intriguing is how Page’s distinctive style could complicate Cannonier’s game plan. If MVP can blend his point-fighting roots with sharper combinations and improved wrestling, he could present a unique challenge that tests Cannonier’s timing and composure in the stretch of the fight.
Additional context from this week points to a growing sense that Page’s move to middleweight could open new opportunities in a deeper division, while fans in Chicago look forward to a spectacle that blends Page’s off-kilter creativity with Cannonier’s relentless pressure.
Summary: Joe Rogan’s praise of Michael Page as a one-of-a-kind puzzle in the sport underscores Page’s evolving skill set as he faces Jared Cannonier at UFC 319 in Chicago. Page emphasizes the scarcity of his background and the ongoing adjustment to the middleweight division, while aiming to leverage his creative striking to outpace a pressing, determined opponent.
This matchup could lift Page’s profile further and offer fans a dynamic, high-energy contest that showcases why his style has captivated combat sports enthusiasts.