As one of the tougher stylistic matchups to prepare for, Michael “Venom” Page is used to having trouble securing opponents. That wasn’t the case after UFC 319, where he styled on Jared Cannonier and trolled him repeatedly en route to a unanimous decision win.
Immediately after Page vs. Cannonier was Carlos Prates vs. Geoff Neal. That fight saw Prates knock Neal out with a massive spinning elbow … and then call out Page for a fight at UFC Rio on October 11th.
Page has fought his last two fights at middleweight
because no top welterweights wanted to fight, so he was excited at the prospect of returning to welterweight against the popular Prates.
“One hundred percent,” he said at the UFC 319 post-fight press conference when asked if he was interested. “You’re not hitting me with that spinning elbow, I’ll tell you that now. That’s a great fight, and those are the kind of fights I want. Those are the fights I’m courting on. If he’s happy, I’m happy to put my hand up.”
“I would love to go to Brazil,” he continued. “I’ve had fans in Brazil for many, many years. I remember being called the U.K. Anderson Silva, which is a massive compliment. I have a massive load of fans in Brazil and still haven’t managed to get over there yet so I’d definitely love to be over there.”
UFC Rio is just 8 weeks away, which made “MVP” pause a moment. But he gave himself a quick self-assessment and seemed confident he could do it.
“I feel pretty good,” Page said. “No real damage. Sore legs, slightly, but that’s normal when people try to go for your legs. Nothing that won’t be fine in a week. So that sounds very good for me.”
Page was even down for the fight to be a special five round co-main.
“Yes, [5 rounds]. If it’s a great fight, why not? Gives me more time to show my skills.”
Will the UFC actually move on putting this fight together for UFC Rio? The event is a Fight Night and already has a big main event in Charles Oliveira vs. Rafael Fiziev. With the way UFC books events, we’d be shocked if they added another PPV-level fight to the card. Pleasantly shocked, but shocked none the less.
At least Page has another bout in mind should the Prates bout not materialize: a fight with former champion and fellow Brit Leon Edwards.
“Leon, I want to see him in the U.K.,” Page said. “If the UFC comes back in March, it’ll be that.”
