UFC fighter Michael ‘Venom’ Page has officially been a convert to Islam. This has sparked widespread excitement among Muslims and intrigue among non-Muslim fans. With experience in a wide range of disciplines, Page’s life has entered a new chapter and faith.
Former Bellator star Michael ‘Venom’ Page was a hot new UFC signing this year. The British fighter recently went viral for praying in a mosque. The matter has sparked some interest. Since then, the UFC fighter himself has confirmed as much on social media.
Page is coming off a close decision loss to Ian Garry at UFC 303. He also kept busy against WEC champion and former UFC interim champion Carlos Condit in the Polaris 30 main event. Page is the son of a Trinidadian father and a Jamaican mother. A UFC Countdown Show episode revealed that he grew up in a martial arts family as his parents trained Lau Gar Kung Fu.
Michael ‘Venom’ Page has officially converted to Islam. ☪️ pic.twitter.com/83BaHVuH56
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) November 21, 2024
Now, the MMA star joins the growing list of MMA/boxing fighters embracing Islam. Perhaps because faith, when truly embraced, offers a meaning that goes beyond stats on boards. Boxing icon Mike Tyson often iterates how Islamism helped amid his tumultous post-prison life. Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis was also a recent convert to Islam. All in all, the matter of personal growth can also mean other things for MVP.
What does acceptance of Islam mean for Michael Page’s career?
Faith has never been far from the limelight in sports. Shaquille O’Neal went similarly viral during his time, as did Muhammad Ali and Tyson. Across sport, athletes like Tim Tebow, who wears his Christian faith on his sleeve, or Novak Djokovic, who often cites meditation and spirituality to help him focus. The 4-belt era’s undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk sports his own crucifix.
Michael ‘Venom’ Page starts a new ‘page’ in his book (Source: X)On the other hand, some on internet chatboards have trolled that wrestling is loading for Page. The point-karate striker did get stuffed in a lot against Garry and needs to expand beyond just prelim grapples. Some have also theorized that this is a move to earn his keep trying to get that Abu Dhabi paycheck. Saudi GEA and Abu Dhabi DCT influence has been a big one on combat sports and UFC as well.
Drawing on their Islamic faith, fighters such as Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev have built careers rooted in ultra-discipline. It’s highly unlikely that Page goes on a similar trajectory. But many fans and pundits often reiterate this grind and gusto to have produced top pound-for-pound fighters.
Michael ‘Venom’ Page’s conversion has sparked optimism on a smimilar vein. Usual enthusiasts took to social chatboards to state that “title run starts now.” Consequently, it has been a long time coming. Page – 22-2 MMA and 17-2 Bellator in actuality, has had quite a run. He is a former Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix Semi-finalist as well. All in all, this can be a bloated new start to the final arc of his combat sports career.
