Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier returns to action against Michael Page on UFCโs 319 pay-per-view main card this weekend (Sat., Aug. 16, 2025) inside United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
With three days until fight night, Cannonier is the betting underdog against โMVP,โ marking the fourth consecutive time heโs been overlooked by oddsmakers. However, he remains unfazed by the gamblersโ opinions.
โWhat people think about me is of no consequence,โ Cannonier told a reporter during UFC 319 media day. โThis isnโt the first time and probably wonโt be the last, because I still have miles to go.โ
When pressed on whether being the underdog fuels his fire, โThe Killa Gorillaโ veered into a rant before losing track of his own train of thought.
โIf I wanted to let it motivate me, Iโd say, โYou see what theyโre saying about me? Iโm going to kick their ass!โ You see how stupid I look saying that shit?โ Cannonier said. โIโm a grown-ass man, Iโm 41 years old, so I donโt play games.โ
โI donโt join in any of the โreindeer games.โ Thatโs what I see,โ Cannonier added. โWhen I watch TV, those are reindeer games going on. You guys ask me some of these questions about the reindeer games, I feel like I have to lower my brain, lessen my thinking ability, and lessen myselfโor how I see myselfโto even think like that and answer your questions.โ
โSo, I canโt even remember the question, but, uh, Iโm great,โ Cannonier concluded.
Cannonierโs media day interviews often reveal a short fuse, sparked by weight cuts or what he deems โreindeer gameโ questions. At 41, heโs earned the right to be as grumpy as he wants or be in The Matrix.
Just donโt question his claim as the best fighter โฆ or youโll regret it!