Get an inside look at The Fighting Nerds, Sao Paulo’s powerhouse squad. Michael ‘Venom’ Page takes us through his highly …
[Music] hey everyone and welcome to UFC connected I’m Megan olivy and here’s what’s coming up on today’s show they’re the PowerHouse MMA Squad with an unlikely name meet the fighting nerds [Applause] Michael Chandler takes us back to his Unforgettable debut I was overwhelmed with gratitude there was something welling up inside me that said this was about to be the greatest performance of my life I made it my goal in that moment I was going to go put his lights out Michael Venom pagee makes his octagon debut in style there is a new showman in the UFC enter Michael Venom Paige this is the biggest platform you can possibly be on under what most people call pressure but I just call it energy and we joined morav Dalles willly front row at UFC 299 for shano Ali versus Cheeto Vera I don’t know who I’m fighting next but I will know in 25 minutes up the AL on the retreat I want this challenge since 2018 let go tucked into sou Paulo’s bajaa neighborhood is the unassuming home of one of mma’s hottest pro teams the gym is combat Club where head coach Pablo sukup and UFC middleweight Kyo Balo are leading a new wave of talent through the UFC Contender series and more they call themselves The Fighting nerds and we visited these Brazilian brainiacs to find out more this is battlegrounds the team in sou Paulo is known as the fighting nerds they’re so good at coming with the right game plan and having good fight IQs inside of the cage there it is the fighting nerds has turned into quite a camp in terms of youf see prospects left arm is under the chin and there’s the tap Kyo Boo this little team is getting a lot of momentum behind him I am the best team in the world the fighting NS the fighting NDS take over [Music] [Music] Bo for [Music] I I looked at him was this thing guy I’m going to kill him so I’m going to go easy I never got beat up in any fight that I had the same way that that he beat me that time he beat the out of me [Applause] a lot of personality on this young man K Bo you immediately take Center flying deep from Oho nice left to follow it up oh and now Omar gov is hurt oh oh Halo the leader of his team called the Fighting nerds he says it’s bully payback time in the octagon bra Bruna Brazil head kick knockout starting to apply the pressure oh the left staggers him everything Silva is throwing is with fight ending intentions he’s taking over oh that’s a heavy kick B to heat up oh Macio ruy gets him out of there there we go [Applause] fighting AQ is the most important thing in fighting it’s kind of a scientific approach you know I was a math teacher chemistry teacher the same methods that I use to study math and chemistry I do the same thing when I’m studying fighting for [Applause] you’re looking at Gian Silva as he gets set to step into the Octagon for his UFC debut [Music] oh and there it was the right as he followed through knock down Wilson Mar could stop this yeah it’s over good call Johan Silva with a huge Victory a good day to you from Rio De Janeiro Brazil this nation is one of the true mma hot beds across the world and tonight we see how it goes for ruy in the UFC debut you ready to fight you ready to fight H let’s go oh I’m making a comparison to a young Conor McGregor the way he is pieing this guy up the way he is so accurate in his instincts reminds me of a young Conor yeah he’s free and he’s having fun out there and the dynamicism from Macio ruy oh big right hand Malarkey didn’t like that one Malarkey’s hurt bad oh big knee down comes Malarkey Oh I thought Bel might have stop that fight Malarkey back to his feet but for how long yeah it’s over it’s oh my goodness that now will do it welcome to the Big Show Macio ruy Flawless Victory what a start on a big night for the fighting nerds team Kyle Balo very proud of his UFC body of work of late and if you’re looking for future stars a lot of people have planted their flag on Kyo Balo Kyo Balo out of that southp ston white oh my goodness there’s the combo in combination for K Balo how about it 13 in a row for the budding Brazilian [Applause] [Music] the natural for we just wanted to be remembered as the guys who make difference in the world K man what a fantastic performance The Crowd Goes Crazy they love you I told you all I was going to KO him and I did it fighting [Music] nerds Michael Chandler’s journey in the Octagon started when he defeated Dan hooker in Abu Dhabi at UFC 257 with a co-main slot on a star studded lineup the powerful lightweight was determined to make his UFC debut an unforgettable one demonstrating his explosive power he instantly solidified his place as a contender in the UFC lightweight rankings Iron Mike takes us back to that iconic performance in day one I made my UFC debut in Abu Dhabi at UFC 257 against Dan hooker Dan hooker was one of the scariest guys inside the lightweight division he had Wars with Paul Felder Wars with Dustin porier the guy had no quit in him so we knew we had a tall order both physically and literally yes little bit of nerves going into that one because Dan hooker was such a dangerous opponent and you’re also making your UFC debut as the co-main event of a Conor McGregor versus Dustin porier pay-per-view the stage was set but it was a huge one Abu Dhabi what’s going on Welcome to the ceremonial weigh-in ceremonial weigh-ins was somewhat surreal because I’ve watched him on TV or on the computer online so many times in my career the ceremonial WS that’s where the fight really starts the first fight is making weight but then the ceremonial WS that’s where you start to feel the buzz and then you get to stand in front of your opponent you get to make eye contact you get to size him up you get to see the look in his eyes that was the beginning of UFC 257 for me we are thrilled to welcome you to UFC 257 UFC 257 was just huge there was something welling up inside me that said this was about to be the greatest performance of my my life just such a ridiculous range of emotions I was overwhelmed with gratitude being back there getting my hands wrapped my eyes were welling up with tears I was crying these grateful tears because I was thinking about my son and the sacrifices we’ve all made I was thinking about my wife and the sacrifices that she has made I felt like I was in the exact right moment where I was supposed to be so here he is iron Michael Chan Le making his much hyped UFC debut making the first walk to the Octagon it felt like home I had seen it in my mind a thousand times because I visualized it I knew that I left no stone unturned to my preparation I knew that I did every single thing that I needed to be successful so when you have that kind of confidence all bets are off and you can just move forward and take the fight as it may one of New Zealand’s best and one of the toughest fighters to have ever grace that UFC Octagon lightweight Contender Dan hooker when I’m looking across the octagon and Dan hooker’s standing there tall proud confident dangerous I made it my goal in that moment and I was going to go put his lights out iron Michael Chandler take it on Dan hooker immediately we met in the center of the Octagon I wanted to get in his face I wanted to put the pressure on him take him out of his game plan see Chandler already very aware of that low cap kick that hooker likes to throw I knew he was going to throw kicks as he started throwing kicks try to be cognizant of him try to be mindful of them check them or move my leg out of the way couple faints couple fast movements let him know the kind of athlete that I am the power and explosiveness that I possess go hard to the body land to the body there go hard to the shoulders and now goes up top and Lance make him feel that power push kick now for Chandler starting to open up a little bit Chandler getting right in the face of Dan hooker wouldn’t him to start second guessing where I was going to be I wanted to impose my will I wanted to get him on his back foot because if a guy retreats it’s just the beginning of the end for him big knock Maxim the eventually the right hand of the body set up the switch overhand left landed right on the jaw come on man you cannot get hit by a Powerhouse like Michael Chandler he drops hit him with a couple shots in the head Mark GD gave him every opportunity to stay in the fight you want to talk about making a UFC deut Michael Chandler just did it as good as he can I was on Cloud9 declaring the winner by [Applause] G this is the greatest moment in my professional life surprise surprise there’s a new King in the lightweight division God bless see you at the top I think my UFC debut exceeded my expectations it was every single thing that I ever dreamed of it being but more it was just awesome leading up to UFC 299 the MMA world was a buzz as flashy knockout artist Michael Venom pagee would make his long awaited UFC debut against the always game Kevin Holland when the opening bell rang The Londoner showed out displaying the Charisma style and elect El rcity that made him a combat sports star let’s revisit this big moment in Miami As We join Michael Venom paage on his debut day just here at the hotel the Calm before the storm got my family there they always energize me we’re here to Hype him up we’re here to get him in the right mindset today is different I think it’s because it’s part of the journey that he’s desired he’s always spoke of fighting for the UFC now that it’s officially here we’re here to just celebrate that with him those that are familiar with MVP have likely heard of him this allows him to take that image put those skills on display with a new and larger audience when the Crowd Goes Wild whether they’re booing or shouting whatever the emotion is he soaks to and we give him that little bit of Head Start here as a family we’ve always been a dancing family coming together and celebrating with music it’s just what we do it’s just something that helps us St the tone sets the mood and we love it for me this is the biggest platform you can possibly be on under what most people call pressure but I just call it energy so I’m just powered by it I always invoke a certain energy a certain emotion into my f people hold a deep memory of this moment so regardless of what they take away they’re going to remember today and it’s because of something I’ve given cherry on top of winning a fight is spending time with these guys afterwards smiling and laughing live from the CIA Center in Miami Florida USA this is UFC 299 Ali versus Vera 2 MVP just about as watchable as any fighter in mixed martial arts today he is out to prove his style can Excel on the greatest pro Ming ground in the sport he’s so incredibly creative and he’s one of the more interesting Strikers to ever compete in MMA let’s go Michael the anticipation for UFC debuts does not get much bigger than this Michael Venom page Ready’s to make the UFC walk for the first time [Applause] there is a new showman in the UFC enter the credentialed Michael Venom page it’s been a long time coming and we’ve all been waiting you know what this guy can do his power his accuracy his creativity inside the Octagon he’s competed in boxing kickboxing MMA he is just a fully well-rounded fighter Michael Venom pagee touching down on the fame canvas of the UFC Octagon for the first time one a few guys at welterweight who can match the size of his opponent tonight Kevin holl people like this guy people like his willingness to fight his willingness to stand in trade his willingness to step up anytime the UFC needs him Kevin Holland is a beast this is a very difficult ask of Michael vinam pige in his first opportunity inside inside the Octagon Mel [Music] that ready ready round one Paige in white Holland is in black and we are underway Paige with that very sideway stance oh so creative fast look at this puts on a show good right hand over the top he might have stunned Kevin with that oh late elbow from Kevin Holland fash than we thought yeah you may have heard Kevin Holland say to his Corner man he’s faster than we thought little slip by Venom page gave Holland the opportunity to close the distance your on your back on your back oh he’s got the choke he’s got the choke he’s got nothing choke this is huge for Kevin Holland oh big elbow from Holland after Venom pige escaped hey go back now watch’s your elbow don’t try to throw so many punches from the top that you lose control of Venom pagee he’s losing control just as you said beautiful job defensively by Venom paage back to his feet that right hand landed clean man another one yeah I mean Kevin might be hurt I think so too oh is that same elbow there is the end the first two rounds down this is the one yeah this is the one Mikey round three oh heavy right hand by Venom nice kick to the body oh the right hand oh nasty elbow he’s losing Kevin looks a little bit frustrated and looks like he’s slowing down yeah yeah in all likelihood Michael venom pagee has done enough to win the UFC debut ladies and gentlemen after three rounds we go to the judges scorecards for a decision all three judges score this contest 29 to 28 for the winner by unanimous decision Michael the kind of knew what he was going to be looking for I knew my speed was going to outrival him coming here is important for me to not only demonstrate my skills but demonstrate the showman that I am that was me signing the UFC in MVP signature fashion I’m happy and I’m going to keep continuing to do exactly the same things and and delivering shows the world tuned into UFC 299 as reigning banto champ sugar Shan Ali and Marlin Chito Vera clashed in the main event one viewer was particularly zeroed in on the action number one Contender morav DWI looked to Parlay his 10 fight win streak into a showdown against the winner we joined morab front row for his take on their five round firefight live from the ca Center in Miami for it is time for the main event for UFC 299 Ali versus verra two sha Ali is the champion but they’ll have to overcome the only man to beat him as an MMA Pro an Ecuadorian they call Cheeto who is Jonesing for UFC goal in all likelihood morab dwes willly will get the winner of tonight’s title fight I don’t know who I’m fighting next but I know he 25 minutes so I’m excited this is the main event of the Shan Al’s first bantamweight title defense Marlon Chito Vera looking to break through and become a world champion he both look good they both stay in the pocket they don’t do much for me it’s a bing fight but let’s see strong start for the incumbent first round I give omali I think it’s going to be decision my round omali is going to win Marlin’s got to do something significant unless he’s going to be behind in the scorecards oh big knee KN up the gut for Al Vera on the retreat good right hand by Cheeto oh St him with the right hand good fight now I like it I like it good job Al good job two and zero omali winning this fight but Cheo always wakes up later maybe after this round maybe fourth round theyo maybe wake up round three let’s see if sh Ali can get this guy out of here Cheo not doing much he’s just hitting punches just piecing Cheeto up do something 30 second left Chico that’s what he needs to start doing just fight Chico back Chic R round again Al winning this fight so Chito has to change something round four here we are in the championship rounds at this point Vera needs a knockout he needs more of this [Applause] wildness whoa so we have a totally def game now fourth round Cho a wake up he came back he look sharp and a big right hand fori was close round but maybe Cho win this fourth round so now it’s to Vera trying to realize a world title with a late finish got to throw caution to the wind see find round for let’s SE guys oh he stunned him he heard him what a great pun by omale oh this is good oh what a fight I mean Cheeto is trying to go out on his shield he’s just getting [Music] outclassed all right the official decision is in the winner byous decision and still the Undisputed I was chasing Al long time I want this challenge since 2018 right time now to fight him I’m excited but it’s a challenge for me give us your thoughts on what you would like to do next Dana give me a jet to Spain baby I’m coming for elot theoria if you guys want me to knock out morab I’ll do that too but El has an exciting fight for the people the champ you are bro you make me so mad bro sugar sh M ladies and gentlemen that’s crazy but I know I’m fighting him next so let’s go see you there go well that’s all for this episode but we’ll see you next time right here on UFC connected [Music]