'Legacy' chasing Page wants Edwards fight after UFC debut

An infectious grin spreads across Michael 'Venom' Page's face when he ponders the next chapter of his career.

During 12 years as a professional mixed martial artist, Britain's Page, nicknamed MVP, has forged a reputation in Bellator as one of the most unique and exciting fighters to grace the sport.

From his flamboyant, eye-catching kickboxing style, via his elaborate ring walks, to his taunting of opponents - Page's 23-fight career, yielding 21 wins, has produced many memorable moments.

But from the day the Londoner decided to transition to MMA from kickboxing, one goal has eluded him until now - to compete in the UFC.

After signing with the promotion in December, the 36-year-old will make his debut against Kevin Holland in a welterweight bout at UFC 299 in Miami, Florida on Saturday.

"If I take it back, it was the original goal of mine," Page tells BBC Sport.

"When I was crossing over to mixed martial arts the inspiration was watching someone like [former UFC light-heavyweight champion] Liddell and then the UFC as a brand.

"My journey took a detour when I got to Bellator, and even though it was a big show, the goal was still UFC."

Page says he had offers from multiple fight promotions before opting to sign with the UFC.

"When you're in a position where you're wanted, it felt good to have that and it shows that the work I've put in all these years has paid off to a point where so many organisations are eager to have me there because they see the value, and can see what I bring," said Page.

"The second I made up my mind that 'OK, yeah, this [the UFC] is 100% what I want to do", the excitement kicks in."

A world title has so far eluded Page, who suffered defeat by Logan Storley for the Bellator interim welterweight title in May 2022.

But Page says his career, and his run in the UFC, will not be defined by championships.

"Everyone chases the shiny stuff, they want titles and so on so forth. But I'm a legacy guy," said Page.

"I don't like to follow the crowd which I feel like is why I fight the way I fight. So my legacy might not be the conventional legacy, my legacy might be purely based on the style I brought to the UFC and just mixed martial arts in general.

"I've been seeing more youngsters and people with my style and I feel like I've delivered that somewhat.

"And I want to deliver it to more people and I know the UFC, with the branding it has and marketing to such a wide audience, shows I get to do what I've been doing to the masses."

Page is entering a welterweight division in the UFC topped by a fellow Briton in champion Leon Edwards.

Although he is not overlooking the threat posed by 31-year-old American Holland at the Kaseya Centre on Saturday, Page is already eyeing a potential showdown with Edwards.

Among welterweight stars such as Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington and Shavkat Rakhmonov, Edwards is the only name which excites Page.

"It's more so, like I said, the legacy of what that means for the UK - two UK fighters fighting for a title, I don't think they've seen that before," said Page.

"And I like to inspire, so it says to everybody back in the UK that is training, amateur fighters that are training, that is very much achievable.

"I think what Leon Edwards has done, his journey is unbelievable. But that, married with my style, my charisma and the energy I can bring, the goal is to sell out a stadium somewhere in the UK - that would be a memorable occasion."

Page has been involved in a high profile all-British fight before when he beat Paul Daley at Bellator 216 in 2019.

That bout took place in Connecticut, with Page saying Bellator "missed a trick" by not hosting it in the UK, and sees an Edwards matchup as a "chance to come back around and do it correctly".

Page also predicts a friendlier build-up with Edwards, in contrast to the bitter words he exchanged with Daley.

Regarding Edwards, Page said: "We've trained together before, been out before at events and afterparties and stuff, there's no malice there.

"And I don't believe - and I'm a massive advocate of this - you need any bad blood in order to sell a fight.

"The second somebody signs their name, and the fact I want to punch you in the face, that's bad enough blood. There's going to be tension there but it's respectful.

"And I feel that's what I'm going to be pushing for and that's what I'm going to be advocating."

Page will take the first meaningful step to setting up a potential bout with Edwards in the UFC if he defeats slight pre-fight favourite Holland on Saturday.

Holland is 13th in the UFC welterweight rankings and is a veteran of the promotion, winning 12 of his 20 fights across six years.