Michael Page Joins UFC: The Showman Steps Into the Shark Tank
Michael ‘Venom’ Page—better known as MVP—has been one of MMA’s most recognisable showmen for a decade. The flash, the dancing, the matrix movement. But until now, it all happened outside the UFC bubble. Now, the wait is over. The English striker has finally signed with the UFC, and suddenly the stakes are higher, the lights are hotter, and the opponents are far more unforgiving.
He’s gone from being a headliner to a hunter.
And there are no soft entries waiting for him in the welterweight division.
The Bellator Legacy: Entertaining, But Unresolved
In Bellator, MVP was a star. His highlight reel is a loop of flying knees, spinning kicks, and walk-off knockouts. His style blended kung fu theatre with calculated aggression. But critics always asked the same thing—was it real, or was it carefully managed chaos?
He had moments of brilliance, yes. But also gaps. The loss to Douglas Lima exposed defensive holes. His bounce-back wins were emphatic, but came against opponents outside the UFC’s top 30.
Now? There’s no buffer. No fringe matchmaking. Every fight is a test.
And MVP is walking in as the unknown variable.
Can Style Beat Structure?
MVP’s style is one of the most unorthodox in MMA. He fights like he’s fencing, not grappling. His hands hang low. He moves in rhythm, not rounds. It works when opponents bite on the feints. But what happens when they don’t?
In the UFC, welterweights like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Sean Brady, and Jack Della Maddalena don’t flinch. They close distance. They wrestle. They walk through flash to get to control.
And that’s the question MVP must answer: can his flair survive pressure?
Or will UFC-calibre fundamentals dull his shine?
A Perfect Debut — or a Perfect Trap?
Page makes his UFC debut at UFC 299 against Kevin Holland—a matchup as thrilling as it is dangerous. Holland is long, unpredictable, and durable. He won’t wrestle for 15 minutes. He’ll stand, talk, and throw heat. For MVP, it’s the perfect stage.
But it’s also a trap.
Holland thrives in chaos. He invites weirdness. And while MVP thrives when he sets the tone, Holland’s chaos is contagious. If Page loses composure—or if his shots don’t land early—this fight could become a messy sprint.
If he wins? He instantly becomes a top-10 contender.
What This Means for UK MMA
With Leon Edwards holding the welterweight belt, Tom Aspinall interim champ at heavyweight, and Paddy Pimblett dragging headlines behind him, British MMA is riding a wave.
MVP joining the UFC adds another layer to that surge. He’s not a prospect—he’s a performer. A name fans already know. If he wins, especially in style, the UFC has a new draw in Europe.
If he loses? The circus ends, and the sport keeps moving.
That’s the UFC. No loyalty to backstory. Only results.
The Time for Talk Is Over
MVP has said for years he didn’t need the UFC to validate his career.
But now, here he is.
The gloves are lighter. The margin for error, slimmer. The criticism, louder. The ceiling, higher.
This isn’t just about whether MVP can hang with the best. It’s about whether his career—so far built on spectacle—can now be measured by substance.
On fight night, there will be no dancing. Just danger.
And for the first time, we’ll find out if the showman is also a shark.