Which Division Suits ‘MVP’ Best Moving Forward?
Michael ‘Venom’ Page is one of the most charismatic athletes we have seen in all of combat sports. Since joining the UFC, he has demonstrated why his unique style is just as effective at any level. He has fluctuated between fighting in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. Last Saturday, Page was able to beat number eight-ranked Jared Cannonier at UFC 319. With Khamzat Chimaev beating Dricus Du Plessis for the Middleweight Title, I will break down which weight class I think ‘MVP’ should choose moving forward and which one he would have the most success with.
Michael Page came into the UFC with a lot of hype and many fans questioning whether he was truly electric or overrated. His first fight was at Welterweight against Kevin Holland, and he was able to completely overwhelm Holland with his footwork and started stunting on him throughout the fight. He was then matched up with the rising Ian Machado Garry, and to many people’s surprise, he fought well and had the bigger moments throughout the fight and turning Garry into a wrestler to squeak out a decision victory. After this loss, he moved up to Middleweight and hasn’t fought at 170 since. He has hinted at fighting guys like Leon Edwards and is willing to fight Carlos Prates at UFC Brazil. At 170, there are a few strikers he can face that would make for an exciting matchup, but the more you climb up the rankings, the more you will run into elite-level wrestlers and grapplers that I believe will completely smother Page. If he plays his cards right, he may only need to face one of the grapplers before getting a title shot. As of right now, Jack Della Maddalena is the champion, and between the two divisions that fight will be his best chance at winning a UFC title.
When ‘MVP’ moved up to 185, he was immediately matched up with Shara Magomedov and picked him apart and completely hauled the type train of the undefeated prospect. That put his name on the map as the real deal to most fans. In his last match, he was up against a much bigger and physical opponent in Cannonier and was able to shut him down for the first two rounds before finally being taken down and controlled in the last round. He fought so well and secured multiple knockdowns with relative ease. Being undersized is one problem Page will face at Middleweight, but there is no real path for him to gain a title shot. With Chimaev being champion, even if he was someone to take out some of the relentless wrestlers, he would just get rag-dolled against the new champion. At 38 years old, we’re not sure of his true intentions and if he is still striving for a title or not.
Michael ‘Venom’ Page recently stated that he wants to pursue a fight against JDM because he thinks that’s a matchup he will win. If that’s the case, then he will most likely be facing Carlos Prates at UFC Brazil, which would be a striking phenomenon. He has a large following and a large personality, so he is easy to market and can be pushed up the rankings fast if he continues to stay active. We will see what Dana White and his committee decide to do with the aging star moving forward.
