Michael ‘Venom’ Page isn’t just one of the most recognisable strikers in modern MMA – he’s one of its longest-serving showmen. Now approaching 39, the British fighter has spent well over a decade competing at the highest level.

Speaking to MH, Page reflects on what’s changed as he’s journeyed from explosive newcomer to seasoned veteran. From microdosing strength workouts and surviving brutal VersaClimber sessions to adapting his recovery, nutrition and time spent in the ‘red zone’, this is a blueprint for longevity from a man who’s still stepping into the arena.

Men’s Health: You’re turning 39 this year. When you look back at the version of you who first turned pro, what’s the biggest difference in how you approach the game now?

MVP: I think when you’re earlier in your career, you can be a bit complacent about how you take care of your body because you’re so used to bouncing back. You’re like a really tight elastic band – you just snap straight back. I could have a rough day, a rough week of training, and feel fine on the following Monday.

It’s not the same anymore. Now you’ve got to help yourself – nutrition, hydration. There are certain habits I had when I was younger that you can kind of get away with. You just have to take a bit more into consideration now.

MH: Is age in MMA a limitation or a leverage for you?

MVP: It depends on how present you are with where you’re at. If I continued training the way I used to, then age would be an issue. But because I’m aware you can’t do those things and I’ve adjusted my training and added certain things, I’m still the same. I’m still as sharp – I just have to do it differently.

With age comes experience. You learn different, unique ways to get yourself where you need to be. There are pros and cons with everything.

MH: Do you feel physically different in camp compared to five or six years ago?

MVP: The only thing that’s really changed is what I do for recovery. Back in the day I depended on the fact I was young and able to recover. There’s almost magic in that. I’d have a rough day, wake up, stretch, and be back the following day.

Now I can have that same difficult session, but I need to allocate time for an ice bath, compression bootsfor my legs, different things to help navigate it. I’ve just put systems in place that allow me to recover and be the same as when I was younger – instead of doing nothing outside of sleeping.

MH: What’s changed most in your training over the years?

MVP: Strength and conditioning has been a big one. When you’re young and ignorant, you think, ‘Well, I’m strong, I’ll be that way forever.’

Now I microdose my strength and conditioning. That’s better for me than having big heavy sessions, which can be very fatiguing. If I do a huge strength session, I might go back into MMA training fatigued and pick up niggles.

So instead of long sessions, we do smaller microdosing sessions and I feel better for the whole week instead of crashing.

There’s also just more information now. Back in the day it was head down, train hard and figure it out. Now there’s a lot more science behind things, and that helps massively.

MH: What does a normal week in camp look like?

MVP: It’s hell. Very, very difficult. This Monday I finished and thought, ‘I can’t believe it’s Monday – it feels like Friday.’

A typical day starts with a light jog or long walk, then light strength and conditioning – more mobility style. Then I head into [MMA] training. Mondays might be wrestling and jiu-jitsu in the morning, then technical and fitness work later.

Tuesday is similar, but with sparring in the second session. Wednesday is intense cardio plus some strength and conditioning. Thursday is another double session – technical sparring. Friday is heavier sparring with strength and conditioning after. Saturday is muscular endurance fitness. Sunday is recovery from the hellish week.

MH: What strength movements are building your body right now?

MVP: Things like the Zercher squat – that’s an awful one, but good for wrestling and grappling. I’ve introduced more kettlebell work because it works well with the movements we do in grappling.

Then explosive lunges, single-leg work – the generic stuff. But instead of heavy sessions, I’m doing smaller sessions regularly.

MH: What does ‘microdosing’ strength actually look like?

MVP: Multiple short sessions. The first session in the morning is mobility – loosening up. You can use light weights, but nothing heavy.

In-between sessions, you might go slightly heavier but very short – 20 to 30 minutes. Four or five exercises, six to eight reps, not heavy. One day a week, usually Wednesday, we’ll go a little heavier but still shorter, fewer reps, more explosive, some plyometrics.

It’s 20 to 30 minutes, sometimes twice a day. You’re not hammering yourself so hard you can’t recover for skill training.

MH: What’s your go-to conditioning modality?

MVP: The VersaClimber. I’ve got a love-hate relationship with it. It’s horrible, but you can do it any time. I’ve had injuries and still been able to use it.

I do five five-minute rounds on that with a minute rest. It’s disgusting.

We also use rowing machines, ski ergs, speed bikes and circuits on Saturdays – crash mat tuck jumps, punching with weights, ropes, clean and jerks, squats – 30-second max intervals in five-minute rounds. It’s horrible, but you always feel good afterwards.

MH: How has your nutrition evolved?

MVP: I’ve never been too fixated on it, but in the last three or four years I’ve had to be stricter. Off-camp I try to be sensible but still enjoy myself.

When I was younger, I could function off KFC. Now I feel the difference straight away. I might eat something I know I shouldn’t and feel sluggish immediately.

I’ve brought in a nutritionist so I’ve got accountability.

MH: What does a typical day of eating in camp look like?

MVP: If it’s a heavy day, I’ll have oats and carbs in the morning, some fruit like kiwis. Or boiled eggs with fruit. Hydration is huge – electrolytes and water all the time.

Lunch might be chicken salad, turkey, or mince with salad. I try not to eat late. If I do, it’s fruit or something light. Sometimes I’ll just fast until the next day.

Protein mainly comes from chicken, eggs, steak.

MH: How do you stay consistent when recovery’s low?

MVP: You have to remind yourself what you’re doing it for. There has to be something you’re passionate about because there’ll be many days you don’t want to do it.

Also, don’t go into the red zone too often. Make it a game. Know when you’re going to go there, push hard, then come out and recover.

Too many fighters live in the red zone every day. I’ve seen so much talent destroy their bodies before achieving anything. We don’t have to be warriors every single day. Pick your days. Use the red zone sparingly.

Know you can access it – but don’t live there.

MVP’s next scheduled fight is against fellow Brit Sam Patterson at UFC Fight Night in London on 21 March 2026. Tickets are on sale for UFC FIGHT NIGHT: EVLOEV vs MURPHY via AXS

With almost 18 years in the health and fitness space as a personal trainer, nutritionist, breath coach and writer, Andrew has spent nearly half of his life exploring how to help people improve their bodies and minds.    

As our fitness editor he prides himself on keeping Men’s Health at the forefront of reliable, relatable and credible fitness information, whether that’s through writing and testing thousands of workouts each year, taking deep dives into the science behind muscle building and fat loss or exploring the psychology of performance and recovery.   

Whilst constantly updating his knowledge base with seminars and courses, Andrew is a lover of the practical as much as the theory and regularly puts his training to the test tackling everything from Crossfit and strongman competitions, to ultra marathons, to multiple 24 hour workout stints and (extremely unofficial) world record attempts.   

 You can find Andrew on Instagram at @theandrew.tracey, or simply hold up a sign for ‘free pizza’ and wait for him to appear.