Michael Jerome Reece-Page (born 7 April 1987), known as Michael "Venom" Page or MVP, is a British professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He has also competed professionally as a kickboxer, boxer and bare-knuckle boxer. As of 8 August 2026, he is #8 in the Meta UFC middleweight rankings.
Page is recognised in the MMA community for his unorthodox fighting style, which originated from freestyle kickboxing (points fighting) and sport karate.
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Early life
Page was born in St Mary's Hospital, London to Curtis Page Sr. and Pauline Reece, who were both Lau Gar kung fu practitioners. His father, a British Telecom employee, hailed from Trinidad while his mother, a nurse, was from Jamaica. Page is a maternal nephew of Lau Gar Master Stan Brown, who was also the instructor of his father. He has nine siblings, three of whom are adopted. Page attended Quintin Kynaston School in St John's Wood, alongside Olympian judoka Ashley McKenzie. He grew up in NW8 near Edgware Road and Lisson Green before moving to W10 near Queen's Park in 2003. Since almost everyone in his family was involved in martial arts, he felt it was natural to follow suit.
Growing up, Page was inspired by martial arts films, particularly those of Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Lee, and Sammo Hung.
Kickboxing career
His father, Curtis Page Sr. was his instructor. Of his nine siblings, his sister Sefena and brothers Curtis Jr., Jamie, and Kalon are also kickboxing champions.
Page began training in Lau Gar at the age of three and competed at his first kickboxing tournament at the age of five. By the age of eight, he began to devote himself to competition and entered his first international tournament in Germany.
Page won ten world championships in kickboxing – his first was at the US Open ISKA World Martial Arts Championships 1998 in Orlando, Florida when he was 12 years old – and was crowned British champion over 25 times. By the age of 13, Page started entering adult competitions. To prepare, he would train five hours a day for five days a week. During tournament days he would often fight up to 14 times due to competing in three weight classes, and at one point fought 22 times in a day across five weight classes. Another world title win was at the W.A.K.O. World Championships 2007 (Coimbra) where, at the −89 kg semi-contact division, he won gold after defeating Dave Heffernan. He also competed at the W.A.K.O. Austrian Classics Worldcup 2008 (Kufstein), winning gold in the −84 kg semi-contact division over Krisztián Jároszkievicz. Page participated at the W.A.K.O. Irish Open 2008 (Dublin), earning silver in the −84 kg semi-contact division after falling short to Raymond Daniels. Page then won gold at the W.A.K.O. Austrian Classics Worldcup 2009 (Walchsee), placing first in both the −84 kg light-contact and semi-contact divisions, defeating Bojan Miskovic and Zvonimir Gribl, respectively. Page returned to participate in the W.A.K.O. Irish Open 2009 (Dublin) but was defeated by Raymond Daniels, placing second in the −84 kg semi-contact division. Page – appointed as the WKA Head Coach – led a team to the WKA World Championships 2009 (Huelva), defeating James Benjamin Stewart to claim gold in the organisation's first semi-contact prize competition and bronze in the −90 kg light-contact division, upon being bested by Tarek Haydar. He then participated in the W.A.K.O. World Championships 2009 (Lignano Sabbiadoro) and finished second in the −84 kg semi-contact division, after being defeated by Krisztián Jároszkievicz. On 4 September 2010, he competed at the World Combat Games 2010 (Beijing) in the −84 kg semi-contact division, where he earned silver, losing gold to Krisztián Jároszkievicz. Page fought Raymond Daniels at the W.A.K.O. Irish Open 2011 (Dublin), securing silver in the −84 kg semi-contact division.
Mixed martial arts career
Background
Dissatisfied with the lack of exposure as well as the politics involved in competing among various kickboxing associations, Page decided to cross over into mixed martial arts. He initially considered going to American Top Team during his transition into MMA since his older siblings live in Miami but chose to start his career with London Shootfighters in July 2011. Page spends up to seven hours training in the gym, and does not undergo IV therapy after cutting weight. He cross-trains Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Gracie Barra. Page is represented by Paradigm Sports Management.
UCMMA
Page made his MMA debut at UCMMA 26 against Ben Dishman on 4 February 2012 and won via technical knockout from a first round tornado kick. His original opponent Sam Boo withdrew a day before the fight. The fight went viral and comparisons were drawn between Page and Anderson Silva. He was paid £200 for the bout.
On 7 April 2012, Page faced Miguel Bernard at UCMMA 27 in a 176 lb catchweight bout despite weighing in at 165 lb. Page won in the first round after forcing Bernard to tap out upon transitioning from a triangle choke into an armbar.
Page briefly returned to kickboxing when he fought in a UK-1 bout on 18 August 2012 at UCMMA 29. Page was supposed to challenge UCMMA UK-1 welterweight champion Peter Irving for the belt. However, Irving pulled out of the fight due to a neck injury and was replaced by Jefferson George after another three opponents dropped out within a month for undisclosed reasons. Page won after knocking out George from a two punch combination in the second round.
Super Fight League
On 24 June 2012, Super Fight League announced that they signed Michael Page to an exclusive 18-month, four-fight contract.
Page made his promotional debut on 2 November 2012 at SFL 7 as the main event against Haitham El-Sayed, winning by technical knockout in round one via doctor stoppage due to cuts.
Page returned to Super Fight League on 12 April 2013 to face Ramdan Mohamed at SFL 15 as the main event and won via rear-naked choke in the first round.
Bellator MMA
After winning his UK-1 fight against Jefferson George, Page announced that he had signed a five-fight contract with Bellator MMA and that he would fight for Bellator and Super Fight League under their respective contracts.
Page was expected to make his promotional debut at Bellator 82 but pulled out of the bout citing surgery for an old injury. Another potential yet unannounced debut at Bellator 90 against Sean Powers was cancelled for undisclosed reasons.
Page made his debut on 21 March 2013 at Bellator 93. He faced Ryan Sanders and won via knockout at 10 seconds into the first round.
Page was scheduled to fight Kenny Ento at Bellator 102 but withdrew due to a rib cartilage injury, an ankle injury, and a knee injury. A later appearance slated for Bellator 109 against Andrew Osborne was also cancelled because of lingering injuries.
Page was slated to fight Fight Master: Bellator MMA contestant Marcus Aurelio at Bellator 120 on 17 May 2014 but Aurelio withdrew due to injury. Ricky Rainey was immediately sought as a replacement after his Bellator 116 victory and was informed of his opponent a week later. Page won via technical knockout in the first round.
Page next faced Nah-Shon Burrell at Bellator 128 as the co-main event on 10 October 2014. He won via unanimous decision.
On 19 December 2014, Michael Page confirmed that he was no longer contracted with Super Fight League and instead signed an exclusive two year, five-fight contract extension with Bellator.
Page was expected to face Curtis Millender at Bellator 134. However, Page pulled out of the fight due to a cut over his left eye which was sustained during a guard passing drill and required six stitches. He was replaced by Brennan Ward.
Page faced Rudy Bears at Bellator 140 on 17 July 2015. He won by knockout in the first round.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In December 2023, it was announced that Page has signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship after free agency. Page made his UFC debut against Kevin Holland on 9 March 2024 at UFC 299. He won the bout by unanimous decision.
Page faced Ian Garry on 29 June 2024, at UFC 303. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Page faced Sharabutdin Magomedov in a middleweight bout on 1 February 2025 at UFC Fight Night 250. He won the fight by unanimous decision leading to Magomedov's first MMA loss.
Page faced former UFC Middleweight Championship challenger Jared Cannonier on 16 August 2025 at UFC 319. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Page faced Sam Patterson in a welterweight bout on 21 March 2026 at UFC Fight Night 270. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
In the last fight of his UFC contract, Page faced Nursulton Ruziboev on 5 September 2026, at UFC Fight Night 287. He won the fight by unanimous decision, in which he faced criticism for his performance. On 8 September 2026, UFC President Dana White confirmed the UFC will not be resigning Page.
Boxing career
On 12 July 2017, it was announced that Page signed a three-year, fifteen-fight contract with Hayemaker Ringstar, a promotional joint venture of David Haye and Richard Schaefer. Page began training under the tutelage of Ismael Salas at Hayemaker HQ on 27 July 2017, alongside Joe Joyce, Qais Ashfaq, and Willy Hutchinson. While he still trains at London Shootfighters, he spends four days a week training at Hayemaker HQ. Page compared the transition from MMA to boxing to a "sprinter turning into a long distance runner." He did commentary for Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor in Las Vegas with Mike Costello and Steve Bunce on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Page made his boxing debut on 20 October 2017 at Hayemaker Ringstar Fight Night against Jonathan Castaño as the co-main event. He won via technical knockout in the third round. He was supposed to debut on the undercard of Haye vs. Bellew but was still negotiating with Bellator at the time.
Page wanted to fight at Hayemaker Ringstar Fight Night 2 on 16 February 2018 but Bellator wanted an MMA fight scheduled before allowing him to commit to another boxing fight.
He was expected to fight on the undercard of Haye vs. Bellew II but Bellator prevented him from competing due to its proximity to Bellator 200.
Page fought at Hayemaker Ringstar Fight Night 3 against Michal Ciach on 15 June 2018. He won by knockout in the second round.
Bare-knuckle boxing
In June 2022, it was announced that Page would make his bare-knuckle boxing debut for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. He fought Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Mike Perry on 20 August 2022 in the main event at BKFC 27. Page lost by majority decision after the sixth round after the bout was declared a split draw decision following the first five rounds.
Professional grappling career
Page faced Carlos Condit in the main event of Polaris 30 on November 2, 2024. He won the match by decision.
Fighting style
Page describes his discipline as a "hands down kickboxing style" created from a "mishmash" of taekwondo, karate, and kung fu styles competing under a points scoring ruleset. As a low-volume movement-based fighter his game plan revolves around controlling distance and landing heavy counterstrikes with high accuracy. He relies on his elusive movement and knockout power to finish opponents and often engages in histrionics while fighting to maintain focus, unnerve his opponents, and rile up the crowd. Page credited his parents, as well as Simon Lewis, and Marvin Francis as being the most influential in his combat sports career.
Personal life
Page received the moniker "Venom" from fellow kickboxer Marvin Francis in homage of the film Five Deadly Venoms.
Page is an active supporter of Manchester United F.C. He became a pollo-pescetarian in August 2017.
In 2024, he converted to Islam.
Championships and accomplishments
Kickboxing
World Combat Games
2010 World Combat Games Silver Medalist (Semi-Contact)
World Association of Kickboxing Organizations
2011 W.A.K.O. Irish Open Silver Medalist (Semi-Contact)
2009 W.A.K.O. World Championships Silver Medalist (Semi-Contact)
2009 W.A.K.O. Irish Open Silver Medalist (Semi-Contact)
2009 W.A.K.O. Austrian Classics Worldcup Gold Medalist (Light Contact)
2009 W.A.K.O. Austrian Classics Worldcup Gold Medalist (Semi-Contact)
2008 W.A.K.O. Irish Open Silver Medalist (Semi-Contact)
2008 W.A.K.O. Austrian Classics Worldcup Gold Medalist (Semi-Contact)
2007 W.A.K.O. World Championships Gold Medalist (Semi-Contact)
World Kickboxing Association
2009 WKA World Championships Bronze Medalist (Light Contact)
2009 WKA World Championships Gold Medalist (Semi-Contact)
International Sport Karate Association
1998 US Open ISKA World Martial Arts Championships Gold Medalist (Semi-Contact)
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
UFC.com Awards
2024: Ranked #10 Newcomer of the Year
Bellator MMA
Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinalist
Most stoppage victories in Bellator Welterweight division history (10)
Most knockout victories in Bellator Welterweight division history (9)
Tied (Patricky Pitbull) for most knockout victories in Bellator history (11)
Fourth most wins in Bellator history (17)
Tied (Douglas Lima) for second most wins in Bellator Welterweigh division history (14)
World MMA Awards
2016 Knockout of the Year vs. Evangelista Santos at Bellator 158
MMA Junkie
2016 July Knockout of the Month vs. Evangelista Santos
2016 Knockout of the Year vs. Evangelista Santos
2023 March Knockout of the Month vs. Goiti Yamauchi
Sherdog
Sherdog's Top 10: Greatest Single Strikes in MMA History (No. 4) vs. Evangelista Santos
Sherdog's Top 10: Bellator MMA Knockouts (No. 2) vs. Evangelista Santos