Michael “Venom” Page, also commonly referred to as “MVP”, is a British MMA fighter who will have his first UFC fight in the UFC 299 Card against Kevin Holland. Let’s look more into who he is as a fighter.
He enjoyed a 14-fight win streak in British fighting organizations and Bellator. However, he suffered a knockout loss to Douglas Lima in the semi-finals of the Bellator welterweight WGP. Page later achieved revenge against Lima with a split decision win and went on a 5-fight winning streak. He competed against Logan Storley for the interim title but ultimately lost by decision.
Afterward, he secured a TKO victory over Goichi Yamauchi with a leg kick and declared free agency in July 2023, opening the door for his next destination.
Page has also competed in boxing and bare-knuckle boxing, facing former UFC welterweight fighter Mike Perry in BKFC but losing by decision.
Finally, he signed with the UFC, seeking to prove his competitiveness. Given Bellator’s absorption into PFL and the overall unfavorable situation, Page had been in talks with the UFC since becoming a free agent.
On March 9, 2024, Page made his UFC debut at UFC 299 against Kevin Holland, a welterweight ranked 12th known for his unorthodox fighting style similar to Page’s. The key to victory lies in how Page will handle Holland, who is similar in physique, strong, and much younger.
Page’s unique kickboxing base, developed by mixing various martial arts such as kung fu, taekwondo, kickboxing, and karate, is heavily influenced by his father. With a long reach and rich arsenal, he freely switches between orthodox and southpaw stances. His jab is notably effective, piercing through opponents’ guards with its trajectory. He boasts rapid footwork, excelling in both forward and backward steps, allowing him to employ an in-and-out fighting style.
Utilizing footwork and fakes early in the fight, he lures opponents into his punching range, where he employs flying knees or counters with his rear hand, swiftly closing the distance to deliver powerful single strikes. He is adept at evading after throwing single strikes, often using angles to exit. Page isn’t afraid to taunt opponents and entertain the crowd with various kick options like sidekicks and spinning kicks when he feels confident.
In terms of grappling, Page’s takedown defense, utilizing the cage and underhooks, is commendable. He has even won matches with triangle chokes from the bottom.
His weaknesses include falling prey to opponents who don’t fall for his fakes and rushing in recklessly, as evidenced in his fight against Douglas Lima, where he struggled against an opponent who didn’t respond to his feints and maintained a strong guard. While he avenged his loss to Lima, defeats against fighters like Logan Storley have raised doubts about his skills, labeling him as lacking the caliber to become a champion.
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