Kevin Holland had no answer for Michael Page’s unorthodox striking.
As a part of the UFC 299 main card at Kaseya Center in Miami, Page (22-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made good in his octagon debut when he outstruck a frustrated Holland (25-11 MMA, 12-8 UFC) in their welterweight bout, earning unanimous scores of 29-28 from the official judges.
UFC fans were treated to Page’s unique style and his flair for the dramatic from his walkout inspired by WWE’s Undertaker, until the end of the fight.
MICHAEL “VENOM” PAGE’S WALKOUT IN HIS UFC DEBUT 🔥 #UFC299 pic.twitter.com/3LyT5YW6IS
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 10, 2024
Page landed a leg kick, followed by a blitz to start Round 1. Page started taunting Holland, who fired back with a leg kick. Holland clinched, but Page broke free. Page lunged in with a big elbow which connected. Page then landed a body kick, followed by a big right hand as he initiated the clinch. Page landed another big leaping right and a spinning back elbow which briefly connected to end the round.
“MVP” opened up with a spinning back kick as Holland fired back with a big right hand. Holland went back to the clinch, but wasn’t able to keep Page there. Page continued to find a home for the right, but slipped on a kick attempt which allowed Holland to jump on him and press him down to the mat. Holland briefly locked in a choke, and landed some big ground and pound. Page exploded out with less than two minutes left. Page appeared to hurt Holland with a big right.
At the start of Round 3, Page didn’t shake Holland’s hand and dropped him with a one-two combination which bothered Holland. Page apologized. Page started to frustrate Holland, as he continued to explode with lunging shots. Holland mocked Page’s taunting, and clinched him against the fence as the bell sounded.
Showed up, showed out! 😤
🐍 @MichaelPage247, welcome to the bright lights of the UFC! #UFC299 pic.twitter.com/IF7QROijXe
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 10, 2024
After 19 fights under the Bellator banner, Page successfully made his highly-anticipated UFC debut. The 36-year-old striker has a style that will likely give many peers in the 170-pound division trouble in future matchups.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 299 results include:
- Michael Page def. Kevin Holland via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jack Della Maddalena def. Gilbert Burns via KO (punches) – Round 3, 3:43
- Petr Yan def. Song Yadong via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Curtis Blaydes def. Jailton Almeida via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:36
- Maycee Barber def. Katlyn Cerminara via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Mateusz Gamrot def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Philipe Lins def. Ion Cutelaba via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Michel Pereira def. Michal Oleksiejczuk via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:01
- Robelis Despaigne def. Josh Parisian via KO (punch) – Round 1, 0:18
- Asu Almabaev def. CJ Vergara via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Joanne Wood def. Maryna Moroz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 299.
