It's official, MVP is in the UFC.
Longtime Bellator welterweight contender Michael 'Venom' Page has ended his free-agent status and signed for the UFC, and will make his Octagon debut on a huge fight card in March.
Page's potential signing was spotted by eagle-eyed watchers of the Full Send video podcast, which took place in the UFC's famous "War Room," and he was confirmed as a UFC fighter by UFC CEO Dana White during the UFC 296 post-fight press conference, where he kicked off proceedings by announcing a host of fights for UFC 299, which takes place March 9 in Miami, Florida.
"I guess before I get started I'll announce some fights for you guys here. This Miami card is stacking up to be badass," he began.
"Michael 'Venom' Page versus Kevin Holland. Song Yadong versus (Petr) Yan, Gilbert Burns versus Jack Della (Maddalena), and Ian (Machado) Garry versus Geoff Neal."
And, when asked specifically about the MVP fight, White said he was looking forward to seeing the Brit in action against a fellow crowd-pleaser in Holland.
"I think it's gonna be great. That's why we made that first matchup. That's a fun fight between two fighters that let it all go."
The four announced matchups will join a bout sheet that is topped by a bantamweight title fight between Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera, while six other matchups are also already locked in.
It means the total list of confirmed matchups for Miami stands at 10, with the addition of "MVP" sure to pique the interest of fans who were keen to see where the charismatic Londoner would land following his departure from Bellator earlier in 2023.
UFC 299: Confirmed fights
- Sean O'Malley vs. Marlon Vera
- Michael Page vs. Kevin Holland
- Petr Yan vs. Song Yadong
- Ian Machado Garry vs. Geoff Neal
- Gilbert Burns vs. Jack Della Maddalena
- Katlyn Chookagian vs. Maycee Barber
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida
- Mateusz Gamrot vs. Rafael dos Anjos
- Pedro Munhoz vs. Kyler Phillips
- Lauren Murphy vs. Karine Silva
- CJ Vergara vs. Assu Almabayev
