Michael “Venom” Page targets Leon Edwards UFC stadium fight & slams fast track claims

UFC 299 may be headlined by Sean O’Malley vs Marlon Vera but a lot of eyes will naturally be drawn to the long awaited debut of Michael “Venom” Page in Miami.

The British fighter has spent the last 11 years of his MMA career under the Bellator promotional banner, where he has made a name for himself for his eccentric style – both inside and outside of the cage.

His 11 knockout victories still rank as the most in Bellator history so when it was announced in December that he would finally be making the switch to the UFC, it felt like it had been a long time coming.

Given his reputation inside the sport, Page goes straight in on the main card of UFC 299 on Saturday against the #11 ranked welterweight Kevin Holland.

Holland has dismissed Page as a “Bellator guy” and has promised to send him back to the promotion. But, in a 20-minute interview with Dexerto on the eve of his UFC debut, Page cut a calm figure.

While he was full of respect for his opponent, Page promised people will be talking about his UFC debut “for years to come”.

“It is a tough first fight but it is a big statement piece to have a scalp like that,” Page told Dexerto. “If I go in there and do what I know I can do, it means more than to go in and fight someone ranked not too highly.

“People will still be asking the same questions, whereas with Kevin Holland it is like OK, you’ve answered this question, let’s see how far you can get.

“It is a difficult first fight but that is exactly what I wanted. He is a great matchup, not just in style, but in entertainment factor. He loves to talk and there are going to be many moments in this fight people will remember for years to come.”

Page bites back at fast track suggestions

At 36-years-old, Page wants to move quickly in his pursuit of UFC glory and knows a win over Holland will instantly see him ranked within the top 15.

Page is targeting being at the top of the division, and fast, but has bitten back at any suggestions he is being fast tracked, comparing his body of work in Bellator and switch to the UFC to former champion Michael Chandler.

Dexerto

“I have been in this game for 15 years. That is definitely not a fast track. It might feel like a fast track because I’m new in the UFC but this is definitely not a fast track,” Page added.

“I have put in a lot of work over the years and that is why people have been screaming for me to come here for so long.

“I believe I am supposed to be at the top so, one or two fights, then I want to be at the top – and that is because of my work up to now.

“It was the same with Michael Chandler. If you look at what he achieved before he got here, that is not a fast track.

“If I was a brand new fighter and looking to bounce up straight to the title, that is what I call a fast track. I have put in too many years of blood, sweat and other people’s tears.”

Leon Edwards vs Michael “Venom” Page?

Timing is everything in sport and Page’s contract with Bellator expired just as the British UFC scene was entering a golden age.

Tom Aspinall knocked out Serhei Pavlovich to become the UFC interim heavyweight world champion and, in Page’s own division, Leon Edwards is the UFC welterweight world champion.

Naturally, Page and Edwards will be on a collision course if “Venom” starts winning in the UFC and “Venom” plans to upset his rivals in the division to land a mega fight for UK MMA fans.

“There are other people in the division that are going to be watching carefully. This wildcard, me, is going to affect their journey as well.

“They might be closer to a world title and then I go and do a crazy knockout and then they are like: ‘Everyone wants to see this guy over me’. 

“They might start calling for the fight themselves to try and stop me but I can only take it one fight at a time. My performance will help with people making the right decisions.

“I am manifesting it in a stadium somewhere. Me and Leon Edwards, it is the Nigel Benn vs Chris Eubank moment for MMA in the UK. We haven’t had that for MMA in the UK, so it would be great if we could bring that to the UK.”

Vegas, celebrations and a three-fight plan

Page has big plans for his time in UFC and hopes to be involved on the September card in the Sphere in Las Vegas.

To do that, Page has to capture the imagination on his debut this weekend. Page has utilised Fortnite dances, used a Pokemon ball and Thanos’ glove to celebrate victories in the past and has special plans for his walk on in Miami on Saturday.

“If I can get three fights in this year, I am a happy man,” Page continued. “I know Dana White has spoken about a date in September in Vegas at the Sphere. I definitely want to be a part of that.

“For those that know me, I am a very creative mind and I am already envisioning in my mind what a walkout would look like on a show like that.

“I have got crazy ideas all the time, my brain just doesn’t switch off, so I already want to put my hand up for that one and if I can sneak another one in after that, that would be ideal.

“I can’t switch that side of me off. I have some ideas but UFC need to help me a little bit because it is difficult to have that creative freedom.

“I tell people that when I do things, it is worth it, and will be viewed over and over again. I have one or two things I have asked for and I am pushing, so let’s hope we get what we want.”

Michael “Venom” Page takes on Kevin Holland on March 9, live on UFC Fight Pass and TNT Sports 1 at UFC® 299: O’Malley vs. Vera 2.