Page’s Two Knockdowns Survived Cannonier’s Final-Round
Michael “Venom” Page defeated Jared Cannonier on August 16, 2025, at UFC 319 in Chicago. The middleweight contest ended with three 29–28 scorecards after Page’s early striking success withstood Cannonier’s stronger grappling in the third round.
| Fighter | Record | Age | Height | Reach | Stance | Striking Accuracy | Takedown Defense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Cannonier | 18–8 | 41 | 5′11″ | 77″ | Switch | 50% | 64% |
| Michael Page | 23–3 | 38 | 6′3″ | 79″ | Switch | 62% | 63% |
The first two rounds rewarded distance and timing
Page used movement, feints and an unusual rhythm to draw Cannonier into range. A clean punch dropped Cannonier in the opening round, giving Page the first major scoring moment of the contest.
Another knockdown followed in the second. Cannonier pursued clinches and completed a takedown, but Page quickly stood and returned to the kind of distance fight that favored his timing.
Cannonier found control after the early damage
The third round unfolded differently when Cannonier secured top position. He worked through half guard into mount and kept Page underneath for much of the remaining action.
Ground strikes gave Cannonier a clear closing round, but he could not produce the finish needed to remove the advantage Page had already built. The bout went to the judges after fifteen minutes.
Every official agreed on the round pattern
All three judges awarded Page the first and second rounds, then scored the third for Cannonier. Their identical 29–28 totals therefore reflected the same assessment of the contest’s changing phases.
The result followed Page’s victory over Shara Magomedov after moving up to middleweight. Against Cannonier, he again showed that his striking could create winning opportunities at the higher weight, even when the final round demanded sustained defensive work on the ground.
Sources
- Cageside Press: knockdowns, takedowns and previous Magomedov victory
- MMA Decisions: unanimous round-by-round scoring
