Michael Page has explored the differences in competing in two of MMA’s most well-known promotions.
The UFC 319 star is looking ahead to a matchup against Jared Cannonier at middleweight on the undercard of the title fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
‘Venom’ previously competed in the welterweight division but moved up in weight due to the politics at play, although he still believes a Leon Edwards fight would ‘inspire’ UK fans and would still be willing to make it happen.
Before his time competing in the UFC, he was a premier talent on Bellator cards across the world, making a name for himself with his flashy style, which was constantly clipped up on social media.
UFC star Michael ‘Venom’ Page reveals the big difference between his UFC and Bellator career so far
However, after ten years in Bellator, he laid his gloves down in the cage to move over to the Octagon of the Dana White-led organisation.
His first two fights left fans feeling there was a lot to be desired, with a decision win over Kevin Holland followed by a points loss to Ian Garry, which did not set the 38-year-old off on the best foot.
The move to middleweight and win over Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov was a more composed performance, defeating a top-ranked contender in the division.
Now Page has admitted that he struggled in his debut fights with the pressure of being in the top MMA promotion in the world.
Speaking to the Let Me Tell You Something podcast, the British fighter explained: “One thing I’d say is after the last fight, I realized that at first I thought, just coming in there, continue being myself, and I don’t really feel the pressure.
“It’s only after that last fight that I was actually like, I’m trying too hard. Because in Bellator, I didn’t really care. I was just being myself.
“When I got to UFC now, I feel like the expectation of me to be the same person got to me, and I didn’t realize it. So now I’m going in there like trying to do this and trying to do that, and normally I’m very relaxed, and then things just snap out and explode.”
In his fights, he adopts a hands-down and fluid movement style, which has produced some of the most iconic knockouts from Bellator in the company’s history.
On transitioning his style over and his feelings heading into the next bout, he continued:
“Whereas now I’m like, ‘Okay, I’m trying to impress’. I’ve never been that. I’ve never been that person who is intentionally trying to impress. My style is impressive,” Page said.
“This is why I’m eager to get back in, because I feel like I’ve realized now where I’m at mentally.”
Michael ‘Venom’ Page chooses a legendary UFC fighter who had a 13-fight win streak as the most underrated
While trying to carve out his own legacy in the company, he was asked about who he’d consider the greatest of all time and who doesn’t get the recognition they deserve.
His choice for the GOAT was Jon Jones, but he believes a fighter in one of the lower weight classes should be considered in the conversation more often.
On the most underrated, he said: “I would say Demetrious Johnson, who’s another first for me, another goat in the game. And I think he’s underrated just because, for some reason, we’re always drawn as people when it comes to combat sports, we’re drawn to big people.
“So the heavyweight division is always the one that we focus on. But obviously, he’s small, he’s a flyweight. But just an exceptional all-round mixed martial artist and has done some unbelievable things.
“I just don’t feel like he’s got everyone. If you mention his name, they’re like, ‘Oh yeah, yeah’. But I don’t think he’s got that in the same way.”
Demetrious Johnson was one of the best flyweights in the organisation’s history, with his Henry Cejudo rivalry showcasing MMA at the highest possible level.
A great show of respect to ‘Mighty Mouse’ from a modern fighter still waiting for his breakout moment in the UFC.