In the brutal ballet of mixed martial arts, moments of shocking athleticism and devastating power are commonplace. Yet, even for a seasoned observer like Joe Rogan, whose voice has narrated countless battles within the UFC Octagon for nearly three decades, one particular incident stands out as the most “gruesome injury” he has ever witnessed. It wasn`t a UFC main event, but a Bellator clash in 2016 that etched a permanent, chilling image into the annals of combat sports history.
The event was Bellator 158, and the combatants were the unorthodox striking sensation Michael `Venom` Page and the battle-hardened veteran Evangelista `Cyborg` Santos. In a fight that seemed destined for a highlight reel finish, Page delivered a perfectly timed flying knee that connected with unimaginable force. What followed was a scene that transcended mere defeat; it was a moment of stark, visceral reality.
`Cyborg` Santos immediately crumpled to the canvas, writhing in agony. Unaware of the profound damage inflicted, `MVP` Page famously celebrated by donning a Pokémon trainer`s hat and throwing a virtual Poké Ball at his fallen opponent – a gesture that, in retrospect, takes on a darkly ironic hue given the severity of the injury. The images that soon circulated were nothing short of horrifying: a visibly caved-in forehead, a grim testament to the power of a professional fighter`s strike.
During a recent discussion with Michael Page on his widely popular podcast, Joe Rogan revisited this indelible moment. “That’s the most gruesome injury I’ve ever seen,” Rogan stated unequivocally. “I’ve seen a lot of broken bones, but I’ve never seen someone with a caved-in head.” Page himself recounted the medical professionals` astonishment. The doctors attending to Santos admitted they had “only ever seen that in a car accident, never in MMA.”
Rogan’s description of the impact was equally chilling, likening the sound to “a baseball bat on a pumpkin.” This wasn`t merely a knockout; it was a career-ending trauma. Evangelista Santos never competed again, his fighting days brought to an abrupt and brutal halt by a single, powerful knee. The incident served as a stark reminder of the razor-thin margin between victory and devastating consequence in professional combat sports, where human limits are tested, sometimes to their absolute breaking point.
While Santos’s career concluded that day, Michael ‘Venom’ Page has continued his fascinating journey in MMA. After an impressive run with Bellator, the dynamic striker signed with the UFC in 2024, quickly making his mark in the welterweight and later middleweight divisions. His unique style and undeniable charisma have captivated a new legion of fans, a testament to his enduring talent. Yet, the memory of that fateful knee against `Cyborg` Santos remains a potent, if uncomfortable, part of his legacy – a reminder that behind every spectacular knockout lies the potential for life-altering injury.
The `Cyborg` Santos incident, as recounted by Joe Rogan and Michael Page, serves as a sobering vignette in the grand narrative of MMA. It underscores the immense power wielded by these athletes and the critical importance of safety protocols, even as the sport pushes the boundaries of human performance. It is a moment that compels reflection, a chilling footnote in the pursuit of combat excellence.
Gareth Fenton 
Percy Harlow