Two-time Bellator title challenger [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] has come to terms with the UFC and is set for his octagon debut against [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] in the first quarter of 2024.
Page (21-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), also known as “MVP,” has inked a contract with the promotion and will make his first appearance against Holland (25-10 MMA, 12-7 UFC) at UFC 299, which takes place March 9 at Kaseya Center in Miami.
UFC officials announced the news Saturday during the UFC 296 pay-per-view broadcast. The matchup first leaked via an image of UFC’s matchmaking room during the “Full Send Podcast” with UFC CEO Dana White.
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Holland, 31, will attempt to give Page a rude welcome to the organization while looking to get back on track following a split decision loss to Jack Della Maddalena at Noche UFC in September. “Trailblazer” is 4-2 since he moved down to 170 pounds from the middleweight division, and hasn’t lost consecutive bouts in the weight class.
Page, 36, will attempt to change that, and prove he can beat elite fighters on the sport’s biggest stage. The Brit has competed in all but four of his 23 career fights under the Bellator banner, beating various levels of competition en route to taking a co-lead for most knockouts in Bellator history (11).
After becoming a free agent earlier this year, Page said he was “flirting” with the UFC on contract talks. UFC boss White said there was mutual interest in signing “Venom,” and ultimately the two sides made a deal to see the devastating striker join the roster.
The latest UFC 299 lineup now includes:
- Champ Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera – for bantamweight title
- Ian Garry vs. Geoff Neal
- Gilbert Burns vs. Jack Della Maddalena
- Song Yadong vs. Petr Yan
- Kevin Holland vs. Michael Page
- Maycee Barber vs. Katlyn Chookagian
- Jailton Almeida vs. Curtis Blaydes
- Asu Almabaev vs. CJ Vergara
- Rafael dos Anjos vs. Mateusz Gamrot
- Pedro Munhoz vs. Kyler Phillips
- Lauren Murphy vs. Karine Silva
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 299.