Vicente Luque on MVP: ‘He Didn’t Look Like He Looks Against Other Fighters’

According to Vicente Luque, Michael Page’s Ultimate Fighting Championship debut was proof that the Las Vegas-based promotion is on a different level compared to its counterparts.

After months of negotiations with the UFC, Page signed with the promotion last December and made his debut against Kevin Holland at UFC 299earlier this month. Known for his highlight reel knockouts, “Venom” did put on a show, completely outclassing Holland on the feet mixed with some signature showboating. However, the former Bellator MMA star failed to score a finish or even hurt “Trailblazer” significantly in a fight that was seen as lukewarm by some.

Welterweight veteran Luque (22-9) also didn’t see Page looking as good in his UFC debut as the Brit did in his previous outings. “The Silent Assassin” believes it might have to do with the pressure of performing on the biggest stage in the world. Regardless, Luque is excited about the attention Page will bring to the division and is even open to a future clash.

“I thought it was interesting,” the 32-year-old said during UFC Atlantic City media day. “Like he’s always been this really, really elusive striker where he has like these crazy fights where he goes out there and plays with his opponents; but now he was fighting in the UFC, a guy in Kevin Holland, which is not just any fighter. And I thought it was good for him to go out there and get a win. I think that he didn't look like he looks against other fighters in other [promotions.] But I don’t know, it was his first fight. Also like, people say, 'OK, he’s experienced,' [but] it’s different to fight in the UFC. You got that pressure of being able to showcase all you’ve got on the biggest show on the planet. So maybe was a little bit of that. But I’m excited to have a guy like him in the division. A guy that definitely brings a lot of eyes of the fans and we’ll see maybe down the line we can even put on a fight. I always like facing all the strikers and testing myself out against those guys.”

Luque is slated to co-headline UFC Atlantic City opposite Joaquin Buckley (17-6) at Boardwalk Hall on March 30. The Brazilian is coming off a unanimous decision win over Rafael dos Anjos in August 2023 which saw him rebound from a two-fight skid. Luque was supposed to face Ian Garry at UFC 296 this past December but the booking fell through after Garry came down with pneumonia.