Michael 'Venom' Page calls for Leon Edwards fight at Old Trafford as he reveals the UFC champion's 'only negative'

Michael 'Venom' Page wants to face Leon Edwards at Old Trafford ahead of making his highly-anticipated UFC debut.

Long-time fan favourite Page signed for the UFC last December, penning a deal to join the MMA leaders following his stint at Bellator.

He takes on Kevin Holland, who is the 13th ranked welterweight in the UFC, at next month's stacked UFC 299 in Miami, Florida.

Page is hoping a win over Holland can land him in title fight against fellow Brit Edwards, who defended his crown against Colby Covington at UFC 296.

The 36-year-old has called for a potential showdown against Edwards to take place in a UK stadium - specifically the home of Manchester United.

Asked about doing a stadium show for a fight against Edwards, Page told SPORTbible: "Oh yeah, it has to be. I just think it's great for the UK.

"A stadium... Old Trafford. I'm going to keep saying it, Old Trafford. I'm a United supporter, so it'll just be great for multiple reasons.

"But either way, I'm saying I don't care as long as it's in the UK, in a stadium and we'll sell it out, which I think we can, let's make it happen."

The UFC are rumoured to be heading to Manchester in the summer as Page is optimistic the promotion could take a potential championship clash to Old Trafford.

"But it also just shows that they're willing to go to different places, like Manchester and stuff," he added. "So, it just means there's definitely an ample opportunity for that to happen."

Holland stands in the way of a fight against Edwards, but Page insists it's the 'MVP story' ahead of his Octagon debut and is hellbent on capturing UFC gold.

"It's always just been the MVP story," he said. "The only thing I care about now is the belt.

"Pushing towards a fight with Leon just because of what that means for the UK. But other than that, there's loads of good fights. This is why UFC is UFC. This is why the divisions are so difficult because there's so many good fights. Do I care about them? No, as soon as it's signed, do I care until then, not at all."

Michael 'Venom' Page at UFC London last July. Image: Getty

Page and Edwards have already crossed paths having sparred against each other. He's very complimentary of 'Rocky' but revealed the champion's 'only negative'.

He continued: "I think the only negative if I have to be critical of him is how he promotes himself. It's not good enough. Because if he did, he definitely would have got the [title] fight way sooner.

"I've actually been at a UFC event when he was fighting Gunnar Nelson and the crowd booed him. He's in the UK! I didn't get it. I was like this guy represents Iceland. And then him from the UK. Like what? This doesn't make sense.

"I think it's just lack of marketing, but because of his lack of marketing, he's had to fight some killers to get to where he's got to, which says a lot about how good he is.

"Everyone takes their journey in different ways regardless. He's made it to the top and he's a great champion.

"That's why he has the belt. He's a great athlete and I felt that before he had the belt, after sparring with him, I knew he could continue to go far, if not all the way. And he did."

Michael 'Venom' Page takes on Kevin Holland on March 9, 2024, live on TNT Sports at UFC 299: O’Malley vs. Vera 2.

Topics: Spotlight, Leon Edwards, UFC

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

@NasJabbar