Michael “Venom” Page, who recently made his UFC debut, had grander plans for his entrance that were shot down by the UFC, but he plans to continue pushing for more creative freedom in his future fights.
Michael “Venom” Page’s UFC debut was a spectacle. But, he had bigger plans.
He fought Kevin Holland at UFC 299 last Saturday. Won by unanimous decision. His walkout was a nod to WWE’s Undertaker. But, the UFC put a stop to his grander plans.
“I had a big plan,” Page confessed to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. He’s a creative guy. He can’t turn that off. His fight day vision isn’t just about the opponent. It’s about the whole experience. From the walkout to the exit. He had an idea. He and his family brainstormed, made a track, and presented it to the UFC.
The UFC took their time. Their process was slow. They said no. To the track too. Page pushed back. Got the track cleared. But, he had to do everything himself.
He enjoyed the walkout. But, if he could’ve done what he wanted, it would’ve been the best UFC walkout ever.
Page shared his grand vision. It didn’t happen at UFC 299. He’ll try something different next time.
The plan was to play Undertaker’s track. Then, a remix track by his brother-in-law. The lights would go dark. Everyone would be looking at the tunnel. But, the spotlight would be on the cage. And he’d be in it!
Everyone would be like, ‘wait, what?’ He’d be in a hood and uniform. He’d do his sign as the tune drops. The lights would cut again. When they came back on, he’d be back at the tunnel. Everyone would be like, ‘Wait, what?’
His brother would be the one in the cage. They look similar when he loses weight. His brother has hair, but with the hood on, you can’t tell. People would’ve been blown away. Then, he’d make his entrance with the same energy.
Page was known for his flamboyant walkouts in Bellator. Flashy fighting style. Entertaining antics. Like when he broke Cyborg Santos’ skull and threw a PokeBall at him. But, the UFC limits creative freedom. Page knows he has to earn their trust.
“I get it,” Page said. He’ll keep pushing. He can’t turn off his creativity. He loves to entertain. He’ll probably annoy a few people. But, he hopes they understand what he’s trying to do. Undertaker himself Tweeted about it. If he saw what Page wanted, it would’ve been even bigger.
Page doesn’t stress. He tries to get more out of it. He works with the tools he has. He had an idea. It didn’t happen this time. He’ll make another idea happen next time. He hopes the UFC will give him more freedom. They have to get used to him. Just like he has to get used to them.
UFC CEO Dana White isn’t a fan of big walkout displays. He even commented unfavorably on Page’s and Michel Pereira‘s entrances at UFC 299. But, Page believes he’ll win White over. If he wins inside the octagon.
“He seems like he’s against it,” Page said. He always suspected that. He thought he might annoy White a bit. But, if he does well in the cage, White might let it slide. He just has to keep putting on good performances. It’s like paying the meter. Flashy wins are credits. He hopes to get some credit back.
Ideally, he’ll get some credit sooner rather than later. He’d like to do something special at UFC 306 in The Sphere, Las Vegas, on Sep. 14.
“I’m really eager to fight in places I haven’t before. Well, one place: Vegas in The Sphere,” Page said. His creative mind is going wild. He knows what he can do creatively. Walkout, this and that. It’d probably be more intimate in The Sphere. His mind is already buzzing with ideas.