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Tag: Michael Page

  • “#1 Bad Fight” – Michael Page Wins Snoozefest with Sam Patterson

    “#1 Bad Fight” – Michael Page Wins Snoozefest with Sam Patterson

    Michael “Venom” Page made a statement with his walkout song choice, but his UFC London fight with Sam Patterson ended up being more like a lullaby.

    In a bout that received plenty of boos and criticism on social media from fight fans and pundits, MVP scored a decision win over Patterson.

    A tactical approach to round one saw Patterson get off to a better start, landing the few punches that were thrown during the frame. Page responded in the second round with pressure, landing countershots and tying up Patterson in the clinch.

    Page’s striking (whatever was thrown) and control in the third round helped him win the fight.

    Just 39 strikes were landed in the bout, with 27 of them coming from MVP.

    Michael “Venom” Page Gets Judges’ Nod Over Sam Patterson

    MVP has now won three straight and five of his last six. He is 4-1 since coming over to the UFC from Bellator.

    Patterson falls to 14-3-1, seeing a four-fight win streak get snapped in this outing.

  • Michael Page Proud to Prove YOU Wrong “Criticized my whole career”

    Michael Page Proud to Prove YOU Wrong “Criticized my whole career”

    UFC star Michael Page, aka MVP, is happy to have proven many of his doubters wrong in the wake of critics thinking that he’d fail when getting to the promotion.

    On Saturday night at UFC 319, Michael Page defeated Jared Cannonier to take his middleweight run in the company to 2-0 – and his overall record to 3-1. In summary, at the age of 38, MVP has gone above any beyond what many expected of him. You could even make the argument that he’s just one big win away from a title shot in either division, which is a testament to the longevity that he’s had in combat sports.

    Of course, Michael Page himself has acknowledged that he’s a bit confused at where he stands right now, but he certainly has the style necessary to cause a lot of people problems – in a similar manner to how Stephen Thompson did during his prime. For now, all we can do is sit back and wait to see what he does next as he continues to try and be as active as possible.

    In his post-fight press conference, Michael Page was more than happy to talk about how he feels to have proven people wrong at this point in his career.

    Michael Page is happy to prove critics wrong

    “I’ve been criticized my whole career from my first fight, my whole time through Bellator, and the question mark and the criticism was he can’t do that in the UFC. And I’ve come and I’ve proved everybody wrong.”

  • “The Most Disrespectful Non-Disrespectful Fighting Style Of All Time” – Fighters & Fans Praise Michael Page’s Output As He Scores Decision Over Jared Cannonier At UFC 319

    “The Most Disrespectful Non-Disrespectful Fighting Style Of All Time” – Fighters & Fans Praise Michael Page’s Output As He Scores Decision Over Jared Cannonier At UFC 319

    Michael Page will be a ranked UFC fighter come Tuesday, as he scored a victory over Jared Cannonier at UFC 319.

    Cannonier tried to close the distance to land on Page, but MVP kept on the outside and used his long range to his advantage. He consistently tagged Cannonier, including a counter punch that dropped Cannonier briefly. “The Gorilla” briefly was able to get a hold of Page and placed him against the fence, but he didn’t do anything with it.

    Page continued to do work in the second round, scoring another knockdown with a one-two combination and taunting Cannonier while trying to keep distance. Cannonier finally got the fight to the ground and held Page there for the third round. He attempted a couple of submissions, but they were for naught.

    Page took the decision on all three judges’ scorecards, 29-28.

    Michael Page Scores Judges’ Nod Over Jared Cannonier At UFC 319

    Page is now 3-1 in the UFC, having also bested Kevin Holland Shara Magomedov. His sole loss came against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303.

    Cannonier is now 3-3 in his last six. He came into this fight off a knockout of Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues.

  • Michael Page is a Welterweight Fighting a Heavyweight at UFC 319

    Michael Page is a Welterweight Fighting a Heavyweight at UFC 319

    UFC star Michael Page has opened up on the differences between fighting at welterweight and fighting at middleweight.

    As we know, Michael Page, also known as MVP, is one of the most unique and interesting fighters in mixed martial arts. After his recent win over Shara Magomedov, he’ll now be staying in the middleweight division – even if he doesn’t seem particularly thrilled about it.

    Alas, the politics at the top of the division didn’t interest him, which is why we’re now going to see Michael Page vs Jared Cannonier at UFC 319 on Saturday night. It’s the kind of bout that has a whole lot of potential, but it’s also one that could go in one of a million different directions.

    In a recent interview, Michael Page spoke about the journey that Jared Cannonier has gone on from heavyweight all the way down to middleweight.

    Michael Page discusses differences between 170 and 185

    “At welterweight, I’m a sniper. I’m waiting for that right moment and then I’ll land my shot. Wait for the right moment, land my shot. Whereas in the middleweight division, I have to be a bit more aggressive on that front foot—landing combinations and then come back out. Combinations and come back out versus just the one shot hoping to kill these guys because they… again, they are more the natural—especially Jared coming from heavyweight—they are more the natural middleweights.”

    Will MVP be able to earn a UFC world title shot in his next few fights? We’ll have to wait and see.

  • Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev: Michael ‘Venom’ Page believes both are beatable

    Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev: Michael ‘Venom’ Page believes both are beatable

    UFC star Michael ‘Venom’ Page has given his thoughts on the upcoming UFC 319 main event between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.

    On Saturday night, we will see Dricus du Plessis defend his UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev. It’s a fight that has been a long time coming, and it’s easily one of the most unpredictable title bouts of the year. They have dramatically different styles, they’re both physical, and they both go on the hunt for a finish.

    There are a lot of different ways it can go, and the predictions that have been flying in are all over the place. Some are backing Dricus du Plessis to simply outlast Khamzat Chimaev, whereas others can see ‘Borz’ getting the champ out of there early.

    In a recent podcast appearance, Michael Page became the latest fighter to weigh in on what could go down when Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev finally collide.

    MVP previews Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

    “When we talk about Dricus Du Plessis versus Khamzat Chimaev, the thing people don’t realise is that both fighters are so different in their chaos. Dricus is unorthodox and unpredictable, and that makes him dangerous even when he looks like he’s slowing down. Khamzat is pure intensity from bell to bell, but if you can survive that first hurricane, you start to see the openings. Both are beatable, but you have to be willing to walk through fire to get there.”

    Who’s going to get it done, fight fans?

  • Michael ‘Venom’ Page Ready to Make Headlines with Statement Knockout in the UFC

    Michael ‘Venom’ Page Ready to Make Headlines with Statement Knockout in the UFC

    Michael ‘Venom’ Page is ready to deliver something spectacular in Chicago.

    After taking Shara Magomedov’s ‘O’ in February, the former Bellator star will step back inside the Octagon this Saturday, August 16, for a high-stakes scrap with perennial middleweight contender Jared Cannonier at UFC 319.

    Thus far, Page is 2-1 under the UFC banner, with a pair of fairly dominant decision victories over ‘Bullet’ and Kevin Holland. But this time, ‘Venom’ plans to make a statement and give fans a moment to remember in ‘The Windy City.’

    “I’ve always gone into a fight wanting a knockout,” Page told Ariel Helwani while discussing his upcoming clash with Cannonier. “I go in there to deliver that to the fans.”

    Page may not be necessarily known for delivering highlight-reel knockouts, but that doesn’t mean he’s incapable of doing so. Just ask Evangelista Santos…

    Clinging to his No. 8 spot in the middleweight rankings, Cannonier will look to score a second straight win after delivering an impressive bounce-back performance against Gregory ‘Robocop’ Rodrigues in February. Before that, ‘Killa Gorilla’ had dropped back-to-back bouts Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho — two fighters who will face off at UFC Paris to determine the middleweight division’s next title contender.

    ‘Venom’ claims political B.S. prompted his move up from welterweight to middleweight

    Page typically competes at welterweight, but after struggling to get big-name fights in his home division, ‘Venom’ decided to make the move up to middleweight where things aren’t nearly as political.

    “I want all the smoke, I want to go where the smoke is,” Page told The Independent. “It feels like the guys in the welterweight division are not carrying any fire. It seems to be very political, it’s a bit too technical about who fights who.

    “There’s even more people with even more claims of getting that title shot [than at middleweight], so a lot of people don’t want to take those dangerous fights if they don’t have to. And to add to the welterweight division, Islam [Makhachev] is moving up as well now, which just holds up the division even more.”

    A win over Cannonier in ‘Chi-Town’ would skyrocket Page into the top 10 of the middleweight division, instantly making him a contender in not one, but two weight classes.

  • Michael Page Targets Top Names For Next UFC Fight

    Michael Page Targets Top Names For Next UFC Fight

    Michael Page is aiming for a high-profile welterweight clash in his next UFC appearance, specifically targeting a seasoned veteran of the division.

    Fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Shara Magomedov in a middleweight detour at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia last month, Page is eager to return to the 170-pound weight class.

    “MVP” has identified former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and the often-controversial Colby Covington as prime candidates for his next opponent. These potential matchups offer both significant name recognition and the opportunity for Page to establish himself against longtime figures within the UFC’s welterweight ranks.

    “I haven’t a clue (what’s next), but everyone seems silent at the moment,” Michael Page said at a UFC fan Q&A. “I don’t know if that last fight has worried a few people, but everyone seems a bit silent. There’s many names out there.

    “I think me and Usman would be a good fight. I want to punch Colby in his face for some reason. I don’t know why. There’s guys out there. I’m just waiting for them to respond to the call.”

    Usman, having last competed in October 2023 with a majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight bout, faces a three-fight losing skid. Despite this, he has hinted at a return to competition within the year.

    Covington, meanwhile, has emerged as a potential opponent for Michael Page after his setback to Joaquin Buckley last December. The Londoner has expressed considerable interest in this matchup, citing Covington’s controversial reputation as a significant draw. 

    “I’m hoping for a repeat of a jumping knee to the face,” Page said. “You all saw how that went, so I’m hoping that way.”

    At 37, Page is eager to maintain a busy schedule. He has expressed a desire to return to the octagon at the earliest opportunity.

    “If I can get two more fights in (this year) that would be great,” Page said. “I’m trying to get one as soon as possible. There’s shows in May that I want to be on, and again at the end of the year. So two more fights, definitely.”

  • Michael Bisping Advises Michael Page To Stay At Middleweight After UFC Saudi Arabia Win

    Michael Bisping Advises Michael Page To Stay At Middleweight After UFC Saudi Arabia Win

    Following Michael Page’s victory over Shara Magomedov at UFC Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1, Michael Bisping has suggested that Page might be better suited for the middleweight division.

    Despite the Brit’s stated intention to return to welterweight, Bisping believes the 185-pound weight class offers more favorable matchups for “MVP.”

    The former UFC middleweight champion shared his thoughts on his YouTube channel, highlighting the abundance of wrestlers in the welterweight division as a potential challenge for Page.

    “Of course, you’ve got Belal Muhammad, you’ve got Shavkat Rakhmonov that you’d think would definitely wrestle ‘MVP’ if he was to fight him. There’s Kamaru Usman and many, many others.”

    Bisping also analyzed Page’s performance against Magomedov, acknowledging his dominance in the fight.

    “I’ve got a lot of respect for (Magomedov), but I’ve got to call it like I see it. ‘MVP’ was by far the better man tonight,” Bisping said. “He was the better striker, he was in control, he was dominant, and he was owning the octagon. More importantly, he was frustrating Shara ‘Bullet.’ Shara is a really good striker. He’s very aggressive, and he’s got really fast kicks, but he’s kind of conventional.

    “That is why ‘MVP’ probably called him out because he’s seen that style a thousand times. ‘MVP,’ with the traditional sport karate background, with the hands low, with the precision striking, with the one-shot kind of power — ‘MVP’ has seen that style many, many times. But Shara ‘Bullet’ hasn’t seen that style. And not many people who have that style can deliver it and execute it with the precision that Michael ‘Venom’ Page can.”

    Page has primarily competed at welterweight throughout his career. While his overall record is impressive, his record at 170 pounds in the UFC stands at 1-1.

    He secured a decision victory over Kevin Holland on debut at UFC 299 but later lost to Ian Garry by decision at UFC 303.

  • Michael Page Open To Going One Further After Middleweight Win At UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘Fight Someone Like Jiří…’

    Michael Page Open To Going One Further After Middleweight Win At UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘Fight Someone Like Jiří…’

    UFC welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page doesn’t think his ability to compete with the best stops at 185 pounds following a successful venture up to middleweight this past Saturday.

    After a defeat to Ian Garry last summer stalled his charge up the 170-pound ladder, Page chose to open his year with a one-off assignment up a division.

    The charismatic Londoner co-headlined the promotion’s second UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1, where he was tasked with taking the 0 of undefeated Dagestani Shara Magomedov.

    As he did on debut at the expense of Kevin Holland 10 months ago, “MVP” showed his striking prowess, outpointing “Bullet” with his technical and unique standup arsenal across three rounds inside Riyadh’s anb Arena.

    Moving forward, Page is planning to revive his charge toward the top in the welterweight division, though he is open to similar exciting matchups at middleweight down the line.

    In fact, it would seem that a light heavyweight outing isn’t off the table.

    “I’m the kind of person that would move up another weight division and fight someone like Jiří (Procházka) because it’s an exciting fight,” Page said during his post-fight press conference. “Like two tornadoes clashing. So yeah, like I said from the beginning, I wanna make a lot of noise.

    “I haven’t got the highlight I wanted just yet,” Page continued. “But if I can keep get getting some exciting matchups, then why not?”

    Procházka was recently in action at UFC 311, where he put himself back in the title conversation with an emphatic performance and stoppage against a fellow former champion in Jamahal Hill.

    Interestingly, the Czech star previously pondered a move down to the middleweight class after a second loss to current light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira.

    “BJP” recently addressed that possibility again, leaving the door open to a future at 185 pounds should he first reclaim the 205-pound gold.

  • Shara Magomedov Puts UFC Saudi Arabia Loss Down To ‘Nightmarish Health Condition’ He Fought Through

    Shara Magomedov Puts UFC Saudi Arabia Loss Down To ‘Nightmarish Health Condition’ He Fought Through

    UFC middleweight Shara Magomedov has claimed to have competed in Saudi Arabia in spite of an injury.

    Things didn’t go to plan for Magomedov in Riyadh this weekend, with the one-eyed Dagestani falling to his first professional and UFC loss at the mixed martial arts leader’s second event in Saudi Arabia.

    After a 4-0 start to life in the Octagon, Magomedov’s 0 was taken by welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page, whose one-off move up to 185 pounds proved to be a success as he pieced “Bullet” up on the feet across three rounds.

    Magomedov took to Instagram a few hours on to post his first statement, during which he revealed that the fight was actually in doubt during the lead-up due to a “nightmarish health condition” he was suffering from.

    “The pirate sails into the harbor, but I will return!

    “I knew all the risks when stepping in with such a nightmarish health condition and preparation. I felt that despite everything, I could still win—but it didn’t work out, and that’s it.

    “Thank you to the @ufc organization for this opportunity and to everyone involved. I wanted to put on a show and meet expectations without canceling the fight.

    “Thank you to everyone who stands by me in any situation! Alhamdulillah.”

    With the hype behind his name somewhat dented by “MVP” in the Middle East, Magomedov will likely look to return to 100 percent physical condition before making his return to the Octagon, where he’ll be tasked with avoiding the first losing skid of his MMA career.

    Prior to the setback against Page, the Dagestani had opened his UFC account with victories over Bruno Silva, Antonio Trócoli, Michał Oleksiejczuk and Armen Petrosyan.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Nassourdine Imavov TKOs Israel Adesanya

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Nassourdine Imavov TKOs Israel Adesanya

    The latest UFC Fight Night took place Saturday in Saudi Arabia, and MMA News has you covered with all of the action!

    After a pay-per-view inside Inglewood’s Intuit Dome  — and before focus turns to the UFC’s second numbered event of the year in Sydney, Australia — the MMA leader staged its sophomore event in Riyadh after arriving there last summer.

    Robert Whittaker took headlining honors for the UFC’s debut card in Saudi Arabia, and this time a familiar face of his made the walk last. Off the back of consecutive defeats to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was back in non-title, non PPV competition.

    “The Last Stylebender” failed to avoid a third straight loss at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia, with rising Frenchman Nassourdine Imavov landing a thunderous knockout inside the anb Arena on Feb. 1.

    Before they shared the cage, welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page moved up for a one-off middleweight scrap with fellow striking specialist Shara Magomedov. The Brit returned to winning ways, taking the Dagestani’s 0 on the scorecards.

    Setting the stage for the headliners were a number of notable names, including heavyweight powerhouse Sergei Pavlovich, bantamweight entertainer Vinicius Oliveira, and ranked flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius.

    With the event concluded, see below for the full results, followed by all the highlights.

    UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov Results & Highlights

    Main Card:

    • Middleweight Main Event: Nassourdine Imavov def. Israel Adesanya via TKO (punches): R2, 0:30
    • Middleweight Co-Main Event: Michael Page def. Sharabutdin Magomedov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
    • Heavyweight: Sergei Pavlovich def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
    • Bantamweight: Vinicius Oliveira def. Said Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
    • Lightweight: Farès Ziam def. Mike Davis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Featherweight: Muhammad Naimov def. Kaan Ofli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
    • Heavyweight: Shamil Gaziev def. Thomas Petersen via KO (punch): R1, 3:12
    • Lightweight: Terrance McKinney def. Damir Hadžović via TKO (punches): R1, 2:01
    • Women’s Flyweight: Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
    • Featherweight: Bogdan Grad def. Lucas Alexander via TKO (punches): R2, 4:22
    • Heavyweight: Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Jamal Pogues via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

    Hamdy Abdelwahab Def. Jamal Pogues

    Bogdan Grad Def. Lucas Alexander

    Jasmine Jasudavicius Def. Mayra Bueno Silva

    Terrance McKinney Def. Damir Hadžović

    https://twitter.com/Haduuuucken/status/1885718234499887442

    Shamil Gaziev def. Thomas Petersen

    https://twitter.com/Haduuuucken/status/1885724125890547964

    Muhammad Naimov Def. Kaan Ofli

    Farès Ziam Def. Mike Davis

    Vinicius Oliveira Def. Said Nurmagomedov

    Sergei Pavlovich Def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik

    Michael Page Def. Sharabutdin Magomedov

    https://twitter.com/Haduuuucken/status/1885765147379081708

    Nassourdine Imavov Def. Israel Adesanya

    https://twitter.com/FIGHTZSS/status/1885775139666559246

  • ‘Fraud Checked’ – Fans React As Michael ‘Venom’ Page Takes Shara Magomedov’s 0 At UFC Saudi Arabia

    ‘Fraud Checked’ – Fans React As Michael ‘Venom’ Page Takes Shara Magomedov’s 0 At UFC Saudi Arabia

    The undefeated streak of Shara “Bullet” Magomedov is no more.

    Michael “Venom” Page came in with a strategy and puzzled Magomedov, going on to take a decision win in the co-main event of UFC Saudi Arabia.

    Both fighters brought out a tactical approach to the first round, being selective with their shots. While Magomedov had his moments, Page notably was able to land several countershots after utilizing his jabs and feints.

    “MVP” used his reach to his advantage in the second round, keeping his distance and preventing Magomedov from getting any momentum in his strikes. Even when “Bullet” did manage to close the distance, he was unable to take full advantage.

    Page continued this strategy in the third round, and while Magomedov had his moments there, it wasn’t enough. Page scored a unanimous decision win, earning 30-27s on two judges’ cards and one 29-28.

    Michael ‘Venom’ Page Ends The Undefeated Record Of Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov

    https://twitter.com/NNNANOII/status/1885768520484483574
    https://twitter.com/poll_mma/status/1885768369414001052

    “MVP” is now 2-1 in the Octagon, rebounding from a loss to Ian Garry at UFC 303. The Bellator veteran made his UFC debut at UFC 299 last year, defeating Kevin Holland.

    Before tonight, Magomedov had scored victories over Bruno Silva, Antonio Trócoli, Michał Oleksiejczuk and Arman Petrosyan in the Octagon.

  • UFC Fight Night: Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    Before heading to Australia to stage its second pay-per-view of 2025 next weekend, the mixed martial arts leader has Fight Night business to attend to in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    The main event presents an opportunity for Israel Adesanya to return to winning ways following consecutive defeats to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. To avoid a three-fight skid in his return to non-title bouts, the Nigerian-New Zealander must stall the rise of Nassourdine Imavov.

    Before that, welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page will move up for a one-off middleweight scrap with Shara Magomedov. With the in-form Dagestani showing his striking prowess since joining the UFC, Saturday’s co-main event promises to be an entertaining stand-up battle.

    Elsewhere, the likes of Sergei Pavlovich, Vinicius Oliveira, and Jasmine Jasudavicius will all be in action.

    UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov takes place on Saturday, February 1, at the anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The main card begins at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT.

    Check out the full weigh-in results below.

    Main Card:

    • Middleweight: Israel Adesanya (185lbs) vs. Nassourdine Imavov (185lbs)
    • Middleweight: Sharabutdin Magomedov (185lbs) vs. Michael Page (185.5lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Sergei Pavlovich (249lbs) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (252lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Said Nurmagomedov (135.5lbs) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (135lbs)
    • Lightweight: Mike Davis (156lbs) vs. Farès Ziam (155.5lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Featherweight: Muhammad Naimov (145.5lbs) vs. Kaan Ofli (145lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Shamil Gaziev (260lbs) vs. Thomas Petersen (263lbs)
    • Lightweight: Damir Hadžović (155.5lbs) vs. Terrance McKinney (156lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Jasmine Jasudavicius (125lbs) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (126lbs)
    • Featherweight: Lucas Alexander (148.5lbs)* vs. Bogdan Grad (145.5lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Hamdy Abdelwahab (260lbs) vs. Jamal Pogues (264lbs)

    *Lucas Alexander missed the featherweight limit by 2.5 pounds, forfeits 30 percent of his purse to Bogdan Grad

  • Michael ‘Venom’ Page: Shara Magomedov ‘Tailor-Made’ For Me To Get Early Knockout At UFC Saudi Arabia

    Michael ‘Venom’ Page: Shara Magomedov ‘Tailor-Made’ For Me To Get Early Knockout At UFC Saudi Arabia

    Michael “Venom” Page is confident of recording yet another violent stoppage in mixed martial arts, this time at the expense of undefeated Dagestani Shara Magomedov.

    Page’s first Octagon outing of 2025 will come in new surroundings, with the Londoner briefly departing his usual home of welterweight for a planned one-off battle opposite Magomedov at 185 pounds in Saudi Arabia this Saturday.

    While “MVP” still boasts aspirations of title glory at the lower weight, he’ll look to bounce back from a narrow decision loss to Ian Garry during International Fight Week last year before resuming his pursuit of gold at 170 pounds.

    And to do so, Page isn’t expecting to require the scorecards.

    During a recent interview with The Independent, “MVP” looked ahead to his impending showdown with “Bullet” in Riyadh and predicted that fans will witness the 15th knockout of his career.

    “Honestly speaking, I believe he’s tailor-made for me to get that (knockout) shot early,” he said. “By early, I just mean before the time is up. But he’s equally dangerous, to where if I make those mistakes, that could happen to me. You have to consider both sides. I just really believe in what I can do, and that my style fits perfectly against him.”

    Whichever way the fight goes, many MMA enthusiasts are expecting the result to come by way of a stoppage.

    While Page’s exploits are well known, Magomedov is far from a slouch in the KO department. 12 of the Russian’s 15 professional wins have come via knockout, including two in the UFC.

    “Bullet” most recently finished Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308 last October with an innovative double spinning backfist.

  • UFC Saudi Arabia Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Adesanya vs. Imavov, Magomedov vs. Page, & More

    UFC Saudi Arabia Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Adesanya vs. Imavov, Magomedov vs. Page, & More

    UFC Saudi Arabia is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup.

    The upcoming event takes place Saturday, February 1, at the anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The main card begins at 2 PM ET/11 AM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 2 PM ET/9 AM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Following consecutive losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, he will look to get back to winning ways by stalling Nassourdine Imavov’s rise.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event between Shara Magomedov and Michael “Venom” Page promises to be an entertaining striking affair. And also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Sergei Pavlovich, Said Nurmagomedov, and Shamil Gaziev.

    UFC Saudi Arabia: Adesanya vs. Imavov Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Saudi Arabia (as of 1/27), courtesy of DraftKings.

    • Israel Adesanya (-166) vs. Nassourdine Imavov (+140)
    • Sharabutdin Magomedov (-185) vs. Michael Page (+154)
    • Sergei Pavlovich (-305) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (+245)
    • Said Nurmagomedov (-198) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (+164)
    • Muhammad Naimov (-258) vs. Kaan Ofli (+210)
    • Shamil Gaziev (-380) vs. Thomas Petersen (+300)
    • Damir Hadzovic (+285) vs. Terrance McKinney (-360)
    • Mike Davis (-135) vs. Fares Ziam (+114)
    • Hamdy Abdelwahab (-112) vs. Jamal Pogues (-108)
    • Jasmine Jasudavicius (-225) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (+185)
    • Lucas Alexander (+100) vs. Bogdan Grad (-120)
    • Abdul-Kerim Al-Selwady (+142) vs. Bolaji Oki (-170)
  • Michael ‘Venom’ Page: UFC 310 Version Of Rakhmonov Would Get ‘Munched’ By Muhammad

    Michael ‘Venom’ Page: UFC 310 Version Of Rakhmonov Would Get ‘Munched’ By Muhammad

    UFC welterweight Michael “Venom” Page believes Shavkat Rakhmonov will have to be a lot better than he was this past weekend if he’s to successfully dethrone Belal Muhammad.

    Rakhmonov successfully defended his top contender status at the UFC 310 pay-per-view on Dec. 7, a date that was originally set to mark his first title shot on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    The undefeated Kazakh saw his opportunity fall through when an injury ruled Muhammad out, and he was instead tasked with stalling Ian Garry’s hopes of leapfrogging him to the front of the queue.

    He did so on the night but had to overcome plenty of adversity to have his hand raised after five rounds of action inside the T-Mobile Arena.

    The competitive nature of the bout has led many to different conclusions, be it Garry being more elite than some had thought or “Nomad” underperforming.

    During a UFC 310 reaction video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Page fell on the latter side of that.

    The former Bellator standout suggested that the reigning welterweight champ would have enjoyed a comfortable first title defense opposite the iteration of Rakhmonov that made the walk in Las Vegas this past weekend.

    “Shavkat couldn’t get anything. Rakhmonov’s fitness and muscular endurance definitely let him down. His balance seems to be very off. This was definitely, by far, not the best Rakhmonov we’ve seen,” Page said. “Although he’s won it, I think anybody looking at this will look at him like, ‘Yeah, I can beat this guy.’

    “Not saying he’s not dangerous. You can see he’s definitely a dangerous person. But this wasn’t good. This wasn’t his best performance,” Page continued. “A hundred percent now, this Shavkat here, if he had fought Belal, Belal was munching him, yamming him for breakfast.”

    Had things turned out differently in the summer, “MVP” could have been the one sharing the cage with Rakhmonov at this year’s final PPV. The Londoner was narrowly outpointed by the Irishman at UFC 303 in June, moving him to an even 1-1 record since joining the promotion in late 2023.

    While he and Garry looked ahead to their respective opportunities to return to the win column in 2025, Rakhmonov will have his eyes on nothing but Muhammad and the champ’s belt.

  • VIDEO: Highlights As Michael ‘Venom’ Page Beats Carlos Condit In Polaris Grappling Match

    VIDEO: Highlights As Michael ‘Venom’ Page Beats Carlos Condit In Polaris Grappling Match

    Michael “Venom” Page and Carlos Condit were back in action tonight, but it wasn’t in a cage that they competed in.

    The two faced off as the featured match at Polaris 30 in London, England with “MVP” coming out on top against the former interim UFC welterweight champion.

    After the Brit comically feinting a jab to start off the grappling match, the two felt each other out before Page stopped a Condit takedown attempt, ending up on top after the first minute.

    The currently ranked UFC welterweight contender looked to score a takedown of his own about a minute later, but both men went out of bounds.

    He did, however, score a highlight by getting behind Condit and landing a flashy takedown with just under six minutes left.

    Michael ‘Venom’ Page Scores Takedown, Defeats Carlos Condit At Polaris 30

    With less than four minutes to go, Condit looked to go after Page’s leg and looked for a submission, but “Venom” fought it well.

    The former Bellator title challenger was able to prevent another takedown attempt from Condit not long after and held his own for the remaining competitive couple of minutes en route to scoring the decision win.

  • ‘Matchmaker’ Belal Muhammad Suggests Fights For Top UFC Welterweights Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards, Sean Brady &, MVP

    ‘Matchmaker’ Belal Muhammad Suggests Fights For Top UFC Welterweights Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards, Sean Brady &, MVP

    Belal Muhammad has been as vocal as he can be since winning the UFC welterweight championship against Leon Edwards at UFC 304. His ten-fight unbeaten streak in the division finally led to him winning gold, and he’s now firing back at all his doubters.

    As impressive as Muhammad was in his last fight, fans are now eager to see him defend his belt. From Sean Brady to Kamaru Usman to Shavkat Rakhmonov, the division is stacked with contenders as well.

    While admitting to Rakhmonov most likely being his next opponent, Muhammad has laid down the perfect plan for the rest of the top UFC welterweights….

    Belal Muhammad Reveals How Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards, Ian Garry, and Jack Dalla Maddalena Can Enter The UFC Welterweight Title Picture

    Muhammad discussed the current state of the UFC welterweight division in the Believe You Me podcast by Michael Bisping on YouTube. Although he thinks that Rakhmonov’s win over Stephen Thompson doesn’t make him a clear contender, he suggested the UFC wouldn’t want to lose on a potential star by testing him once again before the title shot.

    So, with Rakhmonov bagging the next title shot in the division, Muhammad suggested these fights for other top contenders:

    “If I’m matchmaker, I’m looking at Sean Brady versus Usman. And I’m looking at Ian Garry against Leon. And you know, Jack Della, I think he’s out, he’s injured, but even him against, because he’s not even proven himself. He was getting beat by Gilbert Burns until he caught Gilbert Burns at the last minute, so I would give him another test. Maybe, like an MVP.”

    Brady is coming off a dominant win over Gilbert Burns and beating a former champion like Usman would legitimize his title shot. Ian Garry could build a similar claim to the title by beating Edwards, considering not many were convinced by his win over Michael ‘Venom’ Page.

    Last, but not least, Jack Della Maddalena took out Burns after being dominated for two rounds. He can have an illustrious striking matchup with MVP, who would want to bounce back from his loss as well.

    It’s hard to assume whether the UFC will finalize any of these matchups, but the kingpin has his eyes set on all the potential threats to his title.

  • UFC Contender Targets Michael ‘Venom’ Page Having Emulated Him In The Past: “I Know The Way To Knock The Guy Out”

    UFC Contender Targets Michael ‘Venom’ Page Having Emulated Him In The Past: “I Know The Way To Knock The Guy Out”

    Carlos Prates has been a fantastic edition to the UFC roster since earning his contract via the last season of the Contender Series.

    The Fighting Nerds athlete has gone 3-0 inside the Octagon, stopping all three opponents with devastating finishes.

    His latest win over Li Jingliang at UFC 305 set him up well for an even bigger name next time out, and given the fact that he has put on a show with each appearance, a ranked opponent isn’t out of the question.

    When looking at the fighters that occupy the ranking sports from 15-10, one name in particular stands out to Prates.

    Carlos Prates Reveals That He Emulated Michael Page For ‘MVP’s Only Knockout Loss

    In a recent interview with Sherdog.com, Prates gave his thoughts on all of the potential ranked opponents that he could be matched with in the near future.

    He revealed an interesting story from his earlier career when arriving at the name of one of the division’s most talented strikers.

    Michael “Venom” Page is an incredibly difficult opponent to train for because you don’t find people that have his unique style combined with size and reach, very easily.

    Prates said that he has been a stand in for “MVP” when he was training alongside Douglas Lima, who fought Page twice in Bellator.

    In their first meeting, Lima would hand the Brit his first defeat at Bellator, via a ruthless second-round knockout.

    Prates believes that after being a part of the camp for this fight, he has the secret to become the second man to stop Page.

    “Michael Page would be a really good fight. I would like to fight him, it would be a great bonus again. You know the first time he lost to Douglas Lima? I was a sparring partner of Douglas. I was doing like MVP and Douglas was doing his game. He, Douglas and his coach, came to Thailand and we trained all together… So it’s kinda I know the way to knock the guy out.”

    Read also: Shavkat Rakhmonov Trusts UFC’s Meritocracy To Prevent Conor McGregor Title Shot Hijack, Reveals Belal Muhammad Turned Down UFC 307 Date

  • VIDEO: Alexander Volkanovski Shoots Takedown In Attempt To Stop Bantamweight Attacking Michael Page At UFC 304 Fighter Hotel

    VIDEO: Alexander Volkanovski Shoots Takedown In Attempt To Stop Bantamweight Attacking Michael Page At UFC 304 Fighter Hotel

    It would seem that the UFC security had to deal with more than just fight week altercations in Manchester last week…

    The promotion was recently back across the pond to stage its return to Manchester, England, for the first time in close to a decade. The UFC 304 pay-per-view went down at the Co-op Live, with two title fights and a host of intriguing matchups playing out.

    Even before fight night, some fighters couldn’t keep their hands off one another. Early in fight week, videos came out showing opponents Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape coming to blows after the former landed a sucker-punch outside the fighter hotel.

    And that evidently wasn’t the only scrap UFC security had to deal with at the location.

    Following the event, ex-UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski detailed another altercation in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel. While he didn’t provide the names of those involved, he described his attempts to calm things down.

    “I don’t know if I should even bring it up. I don’t know; maybe I won’t bring it up. You guys are gonna hate me for that. I won’t say who was involved, but I’ll tell you a little bit,” Volkanovski said. “Something happened in the lobby between two guys. One was a fighter; I don’t know if the other guy was a fighter. I don’t think he was random, but stuff happened.

    “There might have been a little punch thrown. The other guy tried to get to him. Security tried to stop it. I’m like, ‘It’s not worth it, it’s not worth the cops.’ I’m trying to stop it,” Volkanovski continued. “Guys were stepping and getting around all the security guards. I was trying to help, but he stepped around me as well. I’m like, ‘This guy has got some good movement.’ He’s going again. I’m trying to tell him to ‘chill out.’ Again, he’s come on; I’ve tried to grab him. We almost ran into the bottom of the stairs, so we sort of went down. I fell to my knees. As I’m trying to hold him, he slipped out. I was like, ‘This guy is very slippery.’”

    Now, the two fighters in question have seemingly been revealed after footage emerged of the incident.

    Basharat, Page Get Into It At UFC 304 Fighter Hotel, Volkanovski Among Peacekeepers

    This week, the @CasualsCorner_ account on X (formerly Twitter) posted a video showing an altercation at the fighter hotel in the aftermath of UFC 304 last weekend.

    While the start of the confrontation was not shown, the footage appears to show security attempting to stop UFC bantamweight prospect Farid Basharat from getting at welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page.

    Among those attempting to prevent an all-out brawl is Volkanovski, who can even be seen shooting a takedown (unsuccessfully) in the hopes of stalling Basharat’s progress.

    Interestingly, Basharat has previously trained at the London Shootfighters gym in London, which is the longtime home of Page.

    It’s unclear what sparked the animosity between the pair. But in a comment posted on social media, Basharat accused “MVP” of throwing the first punch at the UFC 304 fighter hotel.

  • Michael Page ‘Wouldn’t Have Been Happy’ With Being Given Win In Ian Garry Fight At UFC 303: ‘I Did Not Perform’

    Michael Page ‘Wouldn’t Have Been Happy’ With Being Given Win In Ian Garry Fight At UFC 303: ‘I Did Not Perform’

    Given how he performed at UFC 303, welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page says he wouldn’t have wanted his hand raised.

    Page had his plans for a quick rise toward an all-English championship showdown with Leon Edwards stalled by Ian Garry at the International Fight Week pay-per-view late last month in Las Vegas.

    The pair opened the main card, going the full three-round distance in a fight that left many in the community disappointed and less than satisifed.

    That sentiment is shared by Page himself, a former Bellator veteran who was left frustrated with some of the decisions he made when sharing the Octagon with “The Future” at T-Mobile Arena.

    Despite that, “MVP” was competitive throughout and even had some backing him to earn the nod on the scorecards. For UFC CEO Dana White, the bout played out in a manner that would have left a draw as a fair result.

    Page, however, would have been unhappy to have been given anything but a defeat on the scorecards…

    Page Relieved Not To Have Won With UFC 303 Performance

    During an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani last week, Page looked back on his sophomore display in the UFC, which came four months on from a successful debut at the expense of Kevin Holland in Miami.

    The Londoner acknowledged that some thought he did enough (42.5 percent of 372 submitted fan scorecards on MMA Decisions). But Page says he would not have been in a celebratory mood had the three judges cageside seen things the same way.

    “It’s nice to hear people kind of rooting for me,” Page said of those who scored the bout in his favor. “But regardless, I didn’t perform well. So if I somehow managed to get the win, I wouldn’t have been happy with that anyway. If it was somehow a draw, I still wouldn’t have been happy with that.

    “I focus on me, and I did not perform the way I should have performed. I made so many mistakes; just silly things,” Page continued. “Yeah, so I wouldn’t have been happy with that. For me, I lost the fight. That’s the reality of it, regardless of what everyone’s saying. I should have done X, Y, Z, and I’m just eager to get back in.”

    With that, Page will look to emerge victorious with an emphatic performance next time out. And given the extra motivation he’s touting post-UFC 303, he’s seemingly looking to return to winning ways and get his title ambitions back on track before the end of 2024.

  • Michael Page Reveals How Close Ian Garry Was To Getting First-Round Choke At UFC 303: ‘Their Arms Burn Out Before I Tap’ 

    Michael Page Reveals How Close Ian Garry Was To Getting First-Round Choke At UFC 303: ‘Their Arms Burn Out Before I Tap’ 

    While he admits the submission hold was deep, Michael “Venom” Page says he was never concerned about getting choked out by Ian Garry at UFC 303.

    Page made the walk inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena at last month’s International Fight Week pay-per-view event, making his sophomore appearance inside the Octagon after swapping Bellator for the UFC in late 2023.

    While “MVP” immediately burst into the rankings on debut by getting the better of Kevin Holland in Miami this past March, he was unable to climb further toward his targeted all-English title fight with Leon Edwards on June 29.

    Instead, Garry cemented his top 10 spot by narrowly getting the better of the Londoner on the scorecards in the UFC 303 main card opener. The Irishman utilized his grappling to enjoy large periods of control in rounds one and three.

    For the most part, Page didn’t appear in danger of getting finished throughout the close fight. He did, however, find himself in a worrying spot during the first grappling exchange, as “The Future” attempted a rear-naked choke.

    But although many were surprised to see “MVP” escape the hold, the man himself was less shocked…

    Page: Not Getting Choked Out Is One Of My Jiu-Jitsu ‘Superpowers’

    During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Page looked back on his first UFC setback and failed attempt to blemish the perfect professional record of Garry, a former Cage Warriors champion.

    The Brit was specifically asked about the compromising position he found himself in on the ground shortly into the opening round, having no doubt drew out cries of ‘he’s going to tap’ from some fans watching at home.

    Page is yet to be submitted in 25 pro fights, and he says that’s for good reason.

    “I’m very difficult to choke. In jiu-jitsu, that seems to be one of my superpowers. It’s always hard for people to finish chokes on me,” Page said. “When I got into that position…that was way closer than (against Holland). When I say closer, yeah, it was deep, but there was no way I was tapping and I wasn’t going to sleep either.

    “Not to give away anything, but like I said, I am very difficult to choke,” Page continued. “Even in the gym, there’s guys that get me really deep and they’re like, ‘What the f…?!’ Their arms burn out before I tap. So luckily, I’m stubborn in that area. But it was a deep choke (at UFC 303).”

    Whether Page will need to prove that once again opposite one of the welterweight division’s top grapplers next time out or will instead be matched against a fellow striker remains to be seen.

    But either way, “MVP” has touted his extra motivation since the defeat in Las Vegas and vowed to bounce back as his pursuit of gold continues.

  • Michael Page Gives Grim Assessment Of Ian Garry’s Title Chances After UFC 303: ‘Leon’s Gonna Kill You…Shavkat’s Gonna Kill You’ 

    Michael Page Gives Grim Assessment Of Ian Garry’s Title Chances After UFC 303: ‘Leon’s Gonna Kill You…Shavkat’s Gonna Kill You’ 

    Having shared the cage with him at UFC 303, Michael “Venom” Page doesn’t see Ian Garry reaching the top of the welterweight division.

    The pair collided in the main card opener of the International Fight Week pay-per-view on June 29 in Las Vegas. The three-round affair was widely branded somewhat lackluster, with the Irishman utilizing his grappling to edge frames one and three on the scorecards.

    The result marked the latest addition to Garry’s undefeated professional record and moved his UFC slate to 8-0, cementing his top 10 spot in the process.

    While “The Future” has confidently expressed that he’ll now move on to focusing on those above him in the pecking order and the title, “MVP” is confident he’ll soon have his résumé blemished…

    Page Didn’t Feel A Future Champion Against Garry At UFC 303

    During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Page looked back on the defeat he suffered in what marked just his second fight competing on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage following a decade in Bellator.

    The Londoner expressed frustration with his performance inside T-Mobile Arena, suggesting the result was more down to his own shortcomings than Garry’s efforts inside the Octagon.

    With that in mind, Page didn’t feel like he was squaring off against a sure-fire future champion. Far from it, in fact. “Venom” recalled facing someone who would get “killed” by UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards and top contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    “Not all. No,” Page said when asked if he sees Garry as a future champion. “Because if that’s the game you’re going to (use) when you get a decent striker, then Leon is going to kill you anyway, then Shavkat is going to kill you anyway. There’s a few guys in there that I just don’t see him surpassing. … Even in some of the areas, he didn’t feel massively strong. I’m not even trying to be disrespectful to him, because again, he’s done his job, he was smart about how he kind of went by it. But for me, regardless, this game for me is about combat. It’s about fighting. Not about stealing wins.

    “Even like I said, that last round, I didn’t necessarily need to stand up or need to let him stand up. I could’ve stayed there and just dragged it out and potentially got a better score in the third round and maybe that would’ve swayed it, but that’s not the game I’m in. I’m in a combat game. Like, I want to cause damage, I want to hurt people,” Page continued. “So yeah, I don’t see him progressing to the top. I think he’s talented. I think he’ll always be around there, top 10, top five, and then he’ll keep losing out to certain people. But he is still talented, and obviously he’s got a loads of time to progress and get better anyway.”

    Garry no doubt feels differently, having frequently insisted that a title crowning on MMA’s biggest stage is inevitable. He’ll look to prove that when he returns to action, potentially against one of the names mentioned by Page.

    Post-UFC 303, the Irishman had the name of Rakhmonov on his lips. While he got a positive response from “Nomad,” it remains to be seen if the UFC will share the same outlook and pair them together next.

  • Ian Garry Gets Support From Fellow Irish UFC Fighter After Criticism Of Michael Page Win: ‘F*ck Fighting MVP, He’s A Nightmare!’ 

    Ian Garry Gets Support From Fellow Irish UFC Fighter After Criticism Of Michael Page Win: ‘F*ck Fighting MVP, He’s A Nightmare!’ 

    Not everyone was impressed by Ian Garry’s performance at UFC 303, but given what he sees in Michael “Venom” Page’s style, a fellow Irish fighter seemingly was.

    Garry cemented his spot in the welterweight top 10 late last month at the International Fight Week pay-per-view in Las Vegas, opening the main card opposite “MVP.”

    The Irishman was vocal in the lead-up about his lack of interest when it came to sharing the cage with the lower-ranked Englishman, insisting he only accepted the matchup to get on the undercard of what was originally planned to be Conor McGregor’s comeback.

    “The Notorious” ultimately pulled out and didn’t make the walk on June 29. Garry did, however, and had his hand raised in a close decision against Page, who was making just his second UFC appearance following a successful debut in March.

    Having gone to the scorecards in his fights against Neil Magny and Geoff Neal, the Dubliner’s run of decisions and the competitive nature of his clash with “Venom” have left some critical of “The Future” and dismissing his chances of competing against the elite of the division.

    One of Garry’s fellow countrymen, however, has suggested that such a narrative does a disservice to the challenge “MVP” presents inside the cage…

    Loughran Says Criticism Of Garry’s UFC 303 Performance Is Unfair

    During a recent interview with InsideFighting, UFC bantamweight prospect Caolan Loughran gave his take on a number of notable prospects, stars, and champions currently competing on MMA’s biggest stage.

    When it came to Garry, the former Cage Warriors champion admitted that he hadn’t been a fan of his compatriot’s approach to fight buildups in the past.

    But after noting an improvement when it came to his remarks ahead of UFC 303, Loughran pushed back on negative takes regarding Garry’s victory over Page on fight night.

    “I haven’t met Ian since he was an amateur. I haven’t seen him since the regional scene. I haven’t seen him in years,” Loughran said. “I was actually liking the way he was talking (ahead of UFC 303). And he’s winning fights in the UFC.

    “He’s getting a lot of stick for his performance against ‘MVP.’ F*ck fighting ‘MVP.’ He’s a nightmare!” Loughran continued. “Until you have him in front of you, you haven’t sparred or trained with someone like him. Now, when you put him on his back, he’s crap. But it’s just getting him on his back is a nightmare.”

    Having maintained his perfect UFC and professional record at the expense of “MVP” at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, Garry is now setting his sights on those above him in the welterweight pecking order.

    In addition to offering to serve as backup fighter for this month’s UFC 304 main event between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad, the Dubliner has set his sights on Shavkat Rakhmonov as a potential next opponent.

  • Michael ‘Venom’ Page Outlines When He’ll Know It’s Time To Retire From MMA

    Michael ‘Venom’ Page Outlines When He’ll Know It’s Time To Retire From MMA

    According to UFC welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page, any decision regarding his retirement will come in the gym, not the Octagon.

    While no doubt at the back end of his career, Page has only just begun plying his fighting trade on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage, having swapped Bellator MMA for the UFC late last year after over a decade with the former.

    In his debut at UFC 299 this past March, Page dealt a blow to those who have long questioned his ability to compete against ranked opposition in the UFC by getting the better of Kevin Holland.

    Most recently, “MVP” had his quest for an all-English showdown with champion Leon Edwards paused by Ian Garry, who narrowly emerged victorious from their pay-per-view main card opener at UFC 303.

    But given his pre-fight camp and performance on the night, it can be said that Page has plenty left in the tank months on from his 37th birthday.

    Page Reveals What Will Force Retirement Call

    During an interview with Demetrious Johnson prior to his second Octagon appearance at UFC 303, Page addressed the topic of Father Time that looms over fighters of his age.

    The MMA community often urges some athletes who appear to continue beyond their physical means to hang up their gloves amid lengthy losing streaks, with Tony Ferguson serving as a current example.

    The 37-year-old Page, however, insists he won’t reach that stage. Instead, he plans to call it quits as soon as his performance against the up-and-comers in his gym falls below the requirement.

    “It gets us all, man. There’s one thing nobody can beat and it’s that time factor. But you can make adjustments,” Page said. “It’s intense in our gym all the time. But there are times I can tell where he’ll (my coach) just be — for me, he’ll be like, ‘You can chill today. You can finish a bit early.’ … He can see when I’m fatiguing a little bit too much.

    “I always say to myself, if I’m getting dominated by the youngsters coming through and they’re all hungry — if I’m starting to get dominated by them in the gym, that’s my time to retire,” Page continued. “I don’t need to wait to get my arse handed to me out in public. If the guys in the gym are having me out, then that’s when I’ll be like, ‘Okay, I need to stop.’ That ain’t happening just yet.”

    In addition to a strong camp, which showed no signs that his time competing at the top is up, Page’s defeat on June 29 was far from emphatic. UFC CEO Dana White demonstrated the competitive nature of the Londoner’s battle with Garry by suggesting the fight felt like a draw.

    It remains to be seen what will come next for “MVP” after a setback in his planned ascent to gold on MMA’s biggest stage. But having come close to climbing toward title contention at UFC 303, Page has vowed to “rebuild” and keep his sights set on the goal.