Michael “Venom” Page had a successful UFC debut on Saturday night in Miami at the Kaseya Center during the main card of UFC 299. He won a clear unanimous decision over Kevin Holland in a fight that showed off his speed and striking skills.
MVP is well-known for his martial arts prowess but also his style and presentation. During his Octagon walk, Page channeled WWE icon The Undertaker with the Hall-of-Famer’s signature music, haunting robe and a light show that paid homage to the pro wrestling legend.
It was pretty solid, but apparently it was nothing compared to what MVP wanted to do for his walkout before the UFC nixed the grandiose idea.
Page was a guest on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour on Monday morning and he explained his original idea.
Page wanted to use his brother, whom he says looks just like him in the entrance.
The original plan was similar to the entrance he went with, only the lights were to go dark early and Page’s brother was supposed to be standing in the Octagon posing as him.
A purple spotlight would have revealed the fake MVP in the middle of the Octagon.
The lights were supposed to go dark again and Page would have been standing at the tunnel before walking out to the Octagon, illuminated by the same purple spotlight.
Here’s what MVP’s walkout looked like from one fan’s point of view in Kaseya Center:
UFC CEO Dana White has traditionally frowned upon the more elaborate entrances and presentations for fighters. He’s allowed Israel Adesanya and a few others to play around with their entrance a bit, and he seemed to give Page similar latitude.
However, the switcheroo concept didn’t get approved, and it’s a real shame.
If the entrance was pulled off the way Page described it, he would have gone viral and the event might have garnered even more attention than it did.
As it was, per White, UFC 299 was a massive financial success.
During the press conference following the event, White announced the event drew a startling $14 million gate, which set a Florida record for highest gate in state history.
It was also the fourth-largest gate in UFC history. Page’s presence played a role in the draw, but most of the appeal likely came from UFC men’s bantamweight champion’s first title defense against Marlon Vera, and future Hall-of-Famer Dustin Poirier, who knocked out Benoit Saint Denis in the co-main event.
Still, MVP has the makings of a superstar in the UFC. Perhaps if he wins a couple more fights, White and the UFC will take the restrictions off his entrance concepts.
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