Michael “Venom” Page is eager for his UFC debut against Kevin Holland, advocating for respectful promotion and suggesting fines for fighters who engage in excessive trash talk and misbehavior, which he believes detracts from the sport’s martial arts values.
Michael “Venom” Page is buzzing with anticipation for his UFC debut against Kevin Holland. He’s confident they’ll hype the fight just right.
Signing with the top dog in the industry has Page on cloud nine. He’s eager to show he’s the cream of the welterweight crop. But the recent uptick in trash talk? Not so much.
Page has a vision for his UFC 299 clash with Holland. “The trash talking will be top-notch, yet respectful,” he insists. The current scene in combat sports? He’s not a fan. “All the jabs at family members, it’s too much. It’s time to circle back to the roots of martial arts.”
Amid the hype, there’s an iframe that seems a bit out of place. But let’s not get sidetracked.
Page couldn’t help but notice the low blows at UFC 296. Leon Edwards, a fellow Brit, got a taste of some seriously nasty comments. Colby Covington crossed the line, mocking Edwards’ late father. The result? A water bottle hurled and tears shed. Security had to step in. Page shakes his head at the thought.
“People are losing their way,” Page laments. He has no time for those who stoop so low. “We’re skilled athletes, that should do the talking. A bit of friendly banter, sure. But let’s keep it clean and focused on the fight.”
Page has a fix for the trash talk epidemic: hit ’em where it hurts, their wallets. Remember when the UFC didn’t mess around with offensive talk? They cut Miguel Torres for a distasteful joke and fined Nate Diaz for a slur. “It’s simple,” Page says. “Fine them. Like a yellow card in soccer. Let’s see how chatty they are when it costs them.”
But sometimes, even the tightest security can’t stop a brawl. Like when Sean Strickland vaulted over chairs to confront Dricus Du Plessis, who poked fun at Strickland’s troubled past. It’s incidents like these that make Page argue for stricter standards.
“When things get too personal, real trouble brews,” Page notes. He hopes the UFC is taking notes and will tighten the reins. But ending on a high note, he’s optimistic about his bout with Holland. “We’ll set the example,” he says with a smile.