Joe Rogan before UFC 319: Michael Page is 'the biggest puzzle in the entire sport'

USA Today

3 days ago

Joe Rogan sees Michael Page's style as the toughest to deal with in MMA.
Page (23-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has made a reputation of frustrating opponents on the feet, scoring an array of flashy knockouts during his Bellator tenure. Although he's yet to notch a finish in the UFC, he posed big problems in his two wins over Kevin Holland, and elite striker Shara Magomedov.
Rogan had high praise for Page's unique striking style.
"Then you've got Michael 'Venom' Page, who's like the biggest puzzle in the entire sport," Rogan said on a recent episode of his "Joe Rogan Experience." "That guy, good luck training for that guy. Just good luck. Super tall welterweight who moves like nobody, who was a world point-fighting champion. That is a totally different thing, that point-fighting thing. Michael 'Venom' Page at one point was one of the best karate point fighters."
Rogan will serve on the commentary desk for Page's next fight against former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier (18-8 MMA, 11-8 UFC) on Saturday's UFC 319 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) main card at United Center in Chicago.
"He's super creative, and he also knows how to wrestle now, knows jiu-jitsu now," Rogan said. "So now he's a mixed martial arts fighter, but he's got this one skill set that's crazy unique. I've always said that's the thing that's missing in MMA because we see what happens when you get a really elite boxer, we've seen what happens with a really elite kickboxer, really elite jiu-jitsu guy or wrestler. We haven't seen a really elite point fighter, who learns all those other skills. ... What 'MVP' is doing is something totally different. Like, you can't even touch him.
"He's hitting guys that have a lot of experience in the UFC. He's hitting them with shots they don't see coming. They can't hit him. Kevin Holland was like, 'Where the f*ck is he? I can't even find him. This is nuts.' The guy just launches himself at you, pops, he cracks you, and then he's gone, and you're like, 'OK.' He's moving way faster than anybody you've fought before, and covers way more distance quicker than anybody you've fought before. It's the difference between someone who is standing in front of people and knocking sticks and an elite fencer."