Fighting in UFC: MVP Opens Up on the “Biggest Weight” of His Career

Michael ‘Venom’ Page on Pressure, Bellator Roots, and His Final MMA Chapter

For most fighters, stepping into the UFC Octagon is the ultimate dream — the bright lights, the roaring crowd, the global stage. But for Michael “Venom” Page, better known simply as MVP, it’s more than just another fight night. It’s a whole new kind of pressure — a weight he admits he’s never felt before.

The 38-year-old Londoner made his UFC debut in 2023 after nearly a decade of tearing through opponents in Bellator, where he built a reputation as one of the sport’s most creative, dangerous, and entertaining strikers. His highlight-reel knockouts and unorthodox style made him a fan favourite, but even with all that experience, MVP says competing in the UFC is a different beast entirely.

“Usually I go in there and I’m comfortable to fight,” Page explained. “But I’ve realised UFC carries a massive weight because of its reputation, its history, and the credibility you get from winning these fights. It’s the biggest weight I’ve felt from any organisation.”

From Bellator Star to UFC Contender

Fighting in UFC is biggest weight I’ve ever felt – MVP

Page’s Bellator résumé speaks for itself: 16 wins from 18 fights, a string of spectacular finishes, and a long spell as one of the most feared welterweights outside the UFC. But in late 2023, after Bellator was acquired by the Professional Fighters League (PFL), MVP decided to make the jump to the sport’s most famous promotion.

While his own transition has been relatively smooth — with two wins in his first three UFC bouts — other former Bellator standouts have found it much tougher. Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, a two-weight Bellator champion, has been inconsistent in his UFC outings, splitting his first two fights. Patchy Mix, the former Bellator bantamweight champion, was dominated by Mario Bautista on his UFC debut in June.

“I’m starting to see it more and more — Bellator fighters not performing the way I know they can,” Page said. “Pitbull hasn’t looked like the Pitbull I saw in Bellator. He was unbelievable there. I feel like the magnitude and weight they’re carrying isn’t allowing them to perform the way they could.”

It’s a sentiment that rings true for anyone who’s made the move from one major promotion to the UFC. The level of media attention, the expectations from fans, and the stakes involved can weigh heavily on even the most seasoned veterans.

A Middleweight Mission

On Saturday night at UFC 319 in Chicago, MVP will face one of his toughest tests yet — American knockout artist Jared Cannonier. The fight will be Page’s second straight appearance at middleweight after he ended the undefeated streak of Shara Magomedov in February.

For much of his 13-year career, Page competed at welterweight, but he says opportunities there have dried up. “Nobody at welterweight seems to like action — it’s a slow division,” he explained. “A lot of guys are in the later stages of their careers, so every fight means a bit more to them. They don’t want to take a risky fight, and I represent a lot of risk because of my style.”

The move up to middleweight hasn’t just been about finding fights — it’s also been about finding challenges that excite him in the final phase of his career.

“My Last Lap in MMA”

For Page, the bout with Cannonier is more than just another step up the rankings — it’s part of what he calls his “last lap” in MMA. While he hasn’t given up on chasing UFC gold, he’s realistic about where he is in his career.

“With someone so experienced and dangerous, I can’t look past Jared,” he said. “But my goal is to get a title fight in my last run. I want to retire from MMA before MMA retires me.”

That “last lap” mindset means picking the kinds of fights that get people talking. Page is focused on putting on shows — fights that fans will remember long after he’s gone. “For me it’s about big fights, big moments, and pushing towards that title if it comes. But I’m also doing a lot of work in the background to set up the next stage of my life.”

The Bigger Picture at UFC 319

UFC 319 is shaping up to be a major card. In the main event, middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis will defend his belt against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev — a clash many fans have been calling for. Elsewhere, Britain’s Lerone Murphy will take on former Bellator contender Aaron Pico in the co-main event, another fight that will add to the night’s international flavour.

For MVP, though, all eyes will be on his own showdown with Cannonier. A win could put him in the mix for a high-profile contender fight, and perhaps even a late-career title run. A loss, on the other hand, would force him to rethink the path ahead in a division stacked with dangerous names.

Fighting in UFC — A Different Kind of Challenge

What stands out most in Page’s journey is his honesty. Many fighters downplay the pressure of competing at the highest level, but MVP isn’t afraid to admit that fighting in the UFC feels different. It’s not just about the opponent in front of him — it’s about the stage, the scrutiny, and the legacy attached to every victory or defeat.

That kind of openness is rare, especially in a sport where confidence and bravado are often seen as essential tools of the trade. But for Page, acknowledging the pressure doesn’t mean he’s afraid of it — it means he’s ready to face it head-on.

“The weight is there, no doubt,” he said. “But that’s also what makes it exciting. If it didn’t matter this much, I probably wouldn’t be here.”

With his trademark swagger, highlight-reel potential, and now a growing hunger to test himself in new waters, MVP’s UFC story is still being written. Whether that story ends with a gold belt around his waist or simply with a few more unforgettable moments, one thing is clear — Michael “Venom” Page isn’t here just to make up the numbers. He’s here to make every fight count.