One of the biggest signings of the year is here.
After fighting in Bellator for the last decade, Michael ‘Venom’ Page is paging the UFC. The prolific striker enters his promotional debut at UFC 299, where he meets ranked welterweight Kevin Holland.
MVP’s last fight came a year ago as he TKO’ed Goiti Yamauchi with a leg kick in 26 seconds. The victory landed Page back in the win column after dropping two in a row to Mike Perry in BKFC and Logan Storley in an interim title fight.
For Holland, this isn’t his first rodeo. This is the Texan’s 21st appearance in the UFC since coming onto the scene in 2018. Holland’s fought the who’s who at welterweight and middleweight and that keeps on going this weekend against a big-name opponent in Page.
‘Trailblazer’ almost put together three wins in a row, but fell short of that vs. Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Noche in September.
This main card matchup takes place from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Round 1:
Page and Holland meet in the center of the Octagon. Page goes into his point-style karate stance and lands a leg kick. Page evades a strike from Holland. Page lands a right hand. Holland lands a leg kick. Holland swings big but misses on the evasive Page. Holland presses Page in the clinch against the cage. Shoulder strike lands for Holland.
Page separates, going back to work on the feet. 1-2 lands for Page. Page goes into the clinch for a moment, landing a right hand. Page lands a combo before clipping Holland with a right hand over the top. Page continues to tag Holland. The two fighters go into the clinch with a minute to go in the round. They break. Holland looks to land but Page is able to dodge his strikes with his movement. Page lands a spinning back elbow.
CDS: 10-9 Page
Round 2:
Spinning back kick attempt for Page doesn’t land. Holland throws a huge right hand before going into the clinch. Page breaks off and goes back to range. Page lands one right hand in a fast blitz. Page slips and Holland hunts him down for a takedown. Holland tries for a rear-naked choke, decides to land ground and pound instead.
Holland holds down Page, but the debutant finds his way back to the feet. Page throws a right hook that doesn’t land. Page cracks Holland with a punch that puts him off balance. Page lands a spinning elbow.
CDS: 10-9 Holland
Round 3:
A combo from Page leaves Holland on the canvas. Holland gets back up. Page tries to sweep Holland with a trip, but is unable to. They break from the clinic. Page taunts Holland after he goes down again. Body kick lands for Page. Holland eats a spinning elbow from Page, that cuts his face. The welterweights tie each other up in the clinch. Left hand lands for Page. Holland clinches with Page against the cage. They separate. Page lands a crushing right hand. Holland lands a leg kick.
CDS: 10-9 Page
Official result: Michael Page defeats Kevin Holland by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Check out the highlights below:
For whom the bell tolls… ⚱️
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 10, 2024
🐍 @MichaelPage247 arriving in the UFC as only he can – in STYLE! #UFC299 pic.twitter.com/OEEO7sz59W
Calm down, calm down! 🤫 #UFC299 pic.twitter.com/3guzR77OZC
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 10, 2024
The first Octagon appearance of Michael Venom Page is in the books! ✅
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 10, 2024
Describe 🐍 @MichaelPage247's debut in one word ⤵️ #UFC299 pic.twitter.com/YK1TBpBsnR
Solid performance in the debut 👏@MichaelPage247 leaves #UFC299 with the UD victory! pic.twitter.com/pout2uuJJQ
— UFC (@ufc) March 10, 2024
