Michael Page nickname: How did the UFC welterweight earn the moniker 'Venom?'

After registering a statement victory over Kevin Holland in his promotional debut at UFC 299, Michael 'Venom' Page is set to return to competition against rising contender Ian Machado Garry this weekend.

For a very long time, Page was considered among the best and the most high-profile fighters competing outside the UFC. There was a lot of curiosity among the fans about the Brit's chances against the elite fighters of the UFC welterweight division.

The wait finally came to an end as Page signed with the UFC in late 2023 and made his promotional debut at the UFC 299 event, defeating Kevin Holland via unanimous decision. But apart from his skills, the nickname 'Venom' has also been a topic of much curiosity.

Page earned the nickname 'Venom' from kickboxer Marvin Francis as a tribute to the movie Five Deadly Venoms. The moniker makes perfect sense and aptly fits Page due to his relentless and aggressive fighting style.

Five Deadly Venoms, a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts film, draws inspiration from animal-themed styles, featuring the centipede, snake, scorpion, lizard, and toad, each representing one of the five poisonous creatures found in Chinese folklore.

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Highlight reel knockouts and unpredictable fighting style justify Michael Page's nickname 'Venom'

One of the things that made Michael Page a sensation in the MMA community was his highlight-reel knockouts, primarily during his time with Bellator MMA. While Page's thin frame made the deceptive knockout power appear more surprising, it was backed by an elite striking arsenal, technique, and unique set-ups.

13 of the British fighter's 22 professional MMA victories came by knockout. The flying knee KO of Evangelista Cyborg is one of the most devastating finishes in the history of the sport, which caused several fractures to the Brazilian fighter's skull.

While many have questioned the level of Page's competition in the past, his performance against Kevin Holland at UFC 299 proved that the 37-year-old can strike with the UFC-caliber fighters.

'MVP' will take on rising UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303. The fight will mark one of the biggest challenges of both fighters' professional MMA careers and many believe that it will give a realistic idea about their skill level.