“I’m the type of fighter who could easily move up a division to face someone like Jiri Prochazka—it would be an exciting match,” said Michael ‘Venom’ Page, teasing the possibility of stepping up to 205lbs after his triumph at UFC Saudi Arabia. He humorously added, “The most spins ever? Yeah, the most spins—like two tornadoes clashing.” In just his third UFC appearance, Page shocked fans by halting the momentum of Shara Magomedov, the one-eyed Dagestani star, and snapping his impressive 15-0 undefeated record.

Fans anticipated Magomedov, the favorite heading into the bout, to follow in the footsteps of his Dagestani “brothers” by overcoming the underdog. However, Page’s veteran experience proved to be the difference-maker as he exposed the gaps in the young fighter’s game. Despite not actively chasing a title shot, Page remains motivated by the prospect of high-profile matchups that captivate fans and bring excitement to the division.

Furthermore, in a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Page discussed his potential move to the light heavyweight division, eyeing strikers like Jiri Prochazka. “It’s all about striking. As much power as these guys have, they need to land something for it to work. You’ve seen how I frustrate people. So many talented strikers come at me with clueless game plans, having no answer when I stand in front of them. I can do that at any weight. I’m ready to move up,” he explained confidently.

However, when Helwani brought up the current 205lbs champ Alex Pereira, Page quickly dismissed the idea with a chuckle, saying, “That guy’s dangerous, man. I’m staying away from him.”

It’s easy to see why. Over the past few years, ‘Poatan’ has cemented himself as the most feared striker in the UFC, making a seamless transition from kickboxing to MMA. After leaving his kickboxing career behind, he wasted no time climbing the ranks and now reigns as the UFC’s 205-pound champion.

As a result, many consider him one of the most dangerous fighters in the division today. Yet, beyond his fearsome reputation in the Octagon, Alex Pereira’s unwavering loyalty and deep-rooted friendships have led many to have a different perspective of him, even his former rivals.

Will Alex Pereira be in Sean Strickland’s corner at UFC 312?

Despite the language barrier, fate had other plans for former rivals Alex Pereira and Sean Strickland, turning them into training partners and close allies. According to ‘Tarzan’s’ coach, Eric Nicksick of Xtreme Couture MMA, the duo has built a strong foundation of trust over time. Their bond has grown so much that the Brazilian will now be in Strickland’s corner for his upcoming title fight against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312.

“He’s [Alex] a good friend of Sean. He’s a great training partner. Obviously, these guys have fought, but after the fight, I think it takes a man to go and learn from the guy who caught you with something. These guys trained with each other a ton. Sean went up there to help him get ready for Khalil Rountree and I love having him, man. It’s great energy so we just talked yesterday. We were going to have the fourth, and it was going to be Alex, so I can’t wait to have him,” Nicksick explained.

For the uninitiated, Pereira and Strickland first met inside the Octagon at UFC 276 in 2022, where they clashed in a middleweight bout. However, the fight was brief, as the Brazilian delivered a stunning first-round knockout that sent Strickland into the shadow realm. Despite that moment, both fighters have left their rivalry in the past, embracing a new chapter of friendship and mutual respect.

What are your thoughts on a potential matchup between Michael ‘Venom’ Page and Alex Pereira? Do you think Page could replicate the dominant performance he put on against the previously undefeated Shara Magomedov at UFC Saudi Arabia? Share your opinion below!