Michael 'Venom' Page tops Carlos Condit in fun grappling match in Polaris 30 main event
11/02/2024 05:06 PM
Michael "Venom" Page showed evolution on the grappling department to defeat a game Carlos Condit in the main event of Polaris 30, which went down Saturday in London.
"MVP"—a former Bellator title contender eight years removed from the most recent submission victory of his 22-3 MMA career—recently told MMA Fighting he wanted to have the "legacy of being a true martial artist" after making trips to boxing and bare-knuckle boxing. He decided to grapple ex-UFC and WEC titleholder Condit, a fierce striker with nearly as many submissions (13) as he has knockouts (15) in MMA.
The 10-minute match began and Condit quickly pulled guard, with Page posturing up to defend position. Condit did not allow him to advance on top either, and they eventually went back to the feet. Condit used a takedown attempt to catch Page's leg and go to the ground, then attacked with a toe hold and a kneebar, but Page defended both submissions and escaped.
Page and Condit rolled on the ground and Condit ended on top position before the fighters became locked in a 50-50 guard. Again back to the feet, Page's takedown attempt had Condit falling over the lighting system, causing a brief halt to the match with seconds left. When the clock ran out, Page was declared the winner via decision.
"He's a tough guy, really strong, grips are crazy," Page said after the win. "I'm used to being the one that has the grips."
Page said his team had him prepared for Condit's leg attacks, so "I wasn't worried."
"I'm disappointed it didn't go my way tonight," Condit said after the match. "I thought I had some great moments throughout the match. Just got to get back and work on some stuff, obviously. I didn't get the sub I was going for, I was trying to get those legs. MVP is all legs, so obviously that's something that I was going for."
Helena Crevar successfully defended her Polaris title with a decision win over Nia Blackman in the co-main event. Click here for complete Polaris 30 results, including UFC featherweight Nathaniel Wood's return to the mats against octagon veteran Cameron Else.
