BrofessorLift
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Michael “Venom” Page has reached a major crossroads in his UFC career.
The former Bellator standout completed his six-fight UFC contract at UFC Paris on September 5, defeating Nursulton Ruziboev by unanimous decision. On paper, it was another successful night for Page. He improved to 5-1 inside the Octagon and extended his winning streak to four fights.
But the circumstances surrounding the victory have created serious questions about whether the UFC actually wants him back.
The biggest issue? Page won, but once again failed to deliver the kind of exciting performance that made him a major attraction before joining the UFC.
Instead, his fight with Ruziboev became another slow-paced decision.
Ruziboev controlled much of the opening round with his grappling, while Page gradually found more success on the feet in the second and third rounds. The Brit ultimately won all three judges' scorecards, 29-28.
However, the Paris crowd repeatedly booed the action.
According to MMA Fighting, Page landed just 12 significant strikes during the entire 15-minute contest and never seriously threatened Ruziboev with a finish.
That is a particularly awkward situation for a fighter whose reputation was built around spectacular striking and highlight-reel knockouts.
Page acknowledged the problem himself after the fight.
He admitted that he has been holding back and said he needs to take more risks, even if doing so means sacrificing some of his usual precision. He also recognized that fans and the UFC expect more from him.
This is where Page's situation becomes complicated.
Since making his UFC debut in March 2024, Page has beaten Kevin Holland, Shara “Bullet” Magomedov, Jared Cannonier, Sam Patterson and Ruziboev. His only UFC loss came against Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision.
That is an impressive record.
Page has also defeated recognizable names, including Holland and former middleweight title challenger Cannonier. The UFC itself highlighted his success and his reputation as one of the sport's most spectacular strikers ahead of UFC Paris.
The problem is that none of those five UFC victories came by knockout or submission.
For a fighter marketed around creativity, unpredictability, and spectacular finishes, six UFC appearances without a single stoppage is a significant concern.
His UFC record says 5-1.
His entertainment record tells a very different story.
Page was initially eligible to be ranked following his victory over Ruziboev. However, on September 7, the UFC rankings panel was reportedly informed that Page had been removed from rankings eligibility.
The message instructed ranking panelists to remove Page and re-rank the middleweight division with 15 eligible fighters.
That does not necessarily prove that Page has officially been released. The UFC has not publicly announced a new contract or formally confirmed his departure.
But it is a strong indication that Page's existing deal has ended without an immediate new agreement.
Page himself has acknowledged that his future is uncertain.
After the fight, he said he wants to remain with the UFC and still dreams of challenging for a championship. At the same time, he openly questioned whether the promotion believes he can produce something different from what it has seen during his first six fights.
First, he is still a recognizable name.
Before joining the UFC, Page became one of Bellator's biggest stars, building a reputation for unusual striking techniques and highlight-reel finishes. His 2016 knockout of Evangelista Santos remains one of the most memorable finishes of his career.
Second, Page is still winning.
A 5-1 UFC record is difficult to ignore, particularly when the lone defeat came against a highly regarded contender in Ian Machado Garry.
Third, Page brings promotional value. His personality, appearance, striking style and international fanbase give the UFC something different from the typical contender.
And Page believes there is more to offer.
He has suggested that a change in his approach could make his fights more aggressive and entertaining. He also wants better opponents and believes he can still compete at the highest level.
Page was supposed to be one of the UFC's most exciting additions when he arrived from Bellator. Instead, every UFC victory has gone to the judges.
That becomes increasingly difficult to overlook when combined with his age. Page turned 39 in April, meaning the UFC would be investing in a veteran fighter who may have limited years remaining at the highest level.
There is also a potential opportunity-cost issue.
If Page is not producing exciting fights or moving rapidly toward title contention, the UFC may prefer to invest roster space and matchmaking opportunities in younger fighters with greater long-term upside.
His recent performances against Patterson and Ruziboev have only strengthened that argument.
At this point, there are three realistic possibilities.
The first is a new UFC contract. Page's 5-1 record gives him a strong negotiating position, and the UFC could decide that his name value and potential upside are worth another opportunity.
The second is a short-term deal or a lower-risk contract designed to see whether Page can change his approach and produce more entertaining fights.
The third is free agency.
If the UFC decides to move on, Page should have options outside the promotion. His reputation from Bellator remains valuable, and other MMA organizations could view him as an established international star capable of headlining events.
For Page, however, the UFC clearly remains the preferred destination.
He has said he wants to continue competing in the organization and believes he still has something special to deliver.
The question is whether the UFC believes the same thing.
But MMA isn't judged solely by records.
The UFC brought Page in because it expected him to create spectacular moments. Six fights later, he has yet to score a UFC finish, and his latest victory was met with widespread criticism from the Paris crowd.
The removal from rankings eligibility is the clearest sign yet that his UFC future is in serious doubt.
Still, the door may not be completely closed.
If Page can convince UFC officials that he is willing to take more risks, increase his output and return to the aggressive style that made him famous, another contract remains possible.
For now, though, “MVP” appears to be waiting for the most important decision of his UFC career: will the promotion give him another opportunity, or is UFC Paris the final chapter of Michael “Venom” Page's Octagon run?
The former Bellator standout completed his six-fight UFC contract at UFC Paris on September 5, defeating Nursulton Ruziboev by unanimous decision. On paper, it was another successful night for Page. He improved to 5-1 inside the Octagon and extended his winning streak to four fights.
But the circumstances surrounding the victory have created serious questions about whether the UFC actually wants him back.
The biggest issue? Page won, but once again failed to deliver the kind of exciting performance that made him a major attraction before joining the UFC.
Page Gets the Win, But Not the Performance He Wanted
Page entered UFC Paris knowing the fight could determine his future with the promotion. He had already admitted before the event that he needed to remind the UFC why it signed him in the first place.Instead, his fight with Ruziboev became another slow-paced decision.
Ruziboev controlled much of the opening round with his grappling, while Page gradually found more success on the feet in the second and third rounds. The Brit ultimately won all three judges' scorecards, 29-28.
However, the Paris crowd repeatedly booed the action.
According to MMA Fighting, Page landed just 12 significant strikes during the entire 15-minute contest and never seriously threatened Ruziboev with a finish.
That is a particularly awkward situation for a fighter whose reputation was built around spectacular striking and highlight-reel knockouts.
Page acknowledged the problem himself after the fight.
He admitted that he has been holding back and said he needs to take more risks, even if doing so means sacrificing some of his usual precision. He also recognized that fans and the UFC expect more from him.
A 5-1 UFC Record Should Be Enough, Right?
This is where Page's situation becomes complicated.
Since making his UFC debut in March 2024, Page has beaten Kevin Holland, Shara “Bullet” Magomedov, Jared Cannonier, Sam Patterson and Ruziboev. His only UFC loss came against Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision.
That is an impressive record.
Page has also defeated recognizable names, including Holland and former middleweight title challenger Cannonier. The UFC itself highlighted his success and his reputation as one of the sport's most spectacular strikers ahead of UFC Paris.
The problem is that none of those five UFC victories came by knockout or submission.
For a fighter marketed around creativity, unpredictability, and spectacular finishes, six UFC appearances without a single stoppage is a significant concern.
His UFC record says 5-1.
His entertainment record tells a very different story.
The UFC May Have Already Given an Answer
The most significant development came after UFC Paris.Page was initially eligible to be ranked following his victory over Ruziboev. However, on September 7, the UFC rankings panel was reportedly informed that Page had been removed from rankings eligibility.
The message instructed ranking panelists to remove Page and re-rank the middleweight division with 15 eligible fighters.
That does not necessarily prove that Page has officially been released. The UFC has not publicly announced a new contract or formally confirmed his departure.
But it is a strong indication that Page's existing deal has ended without an immediate new agreement.
Page himself has acknowledged that his future is uncertain.
After the fight, he said he wants to remain with the UFC and still dreams of challenging for a championship. At the same time, he openly questioned whether the promotion believes he can produce something different from what it has seen during his first six fights.
Why the UFC Could Still Bring Him Back
Despite the uncertainty, there are legitimate reasons for the UFC to keep Page.First, he is still a recognizable name.
Before joining the UFC, Page became one of Bellator's biggest stars, building a reputation for unusual striking techniques and highlight-reel finishes. His 2016 knockout of Evangelista Santos remains one of the most memorable finishes of his career.
Second, Page is still winning.
A 5-1 UFC record is difficult to ignore, particularly when the lone defeat came against a highly regarded contender in Ian Machado Garry.
Third, Page brings promotional value. His personality, appearance, striking style and international fanbase give the UFC something different from the typical contender.
And Page believes there is more to offer.
He has suggested that a change in his approach could make his fights more aggressive and entertaining. He also wants better opponents and believes he can still compete at the highest level.
Why the UFC Could Move On
The biggest argument against a new deal is obvious: entertainment.Page was supposed to be one of the UFC's most exciting additions when he arrived from Bellator. Instead, every UFC victory has gone to the judges.
That becomes increasingly difficult to overlook when combined with his age. Page turned 39 in April, meaning the UFC would be investing in a veteran fighter who may have limited years remaining at the highest level.
There is also a potential opportunity-cost issue.
If Page is not producing exciting fights or moving rapidly toward title contention, the UFC may prefer to invest roster space and matchmaking opportunities in younger fighters with greater long-term upside.
His recent performances against Patterson and Ruziboev have only strengthened that argument.
What Happens Next for “MVP”?
At this point, there are three realistic possibilities.
The first is a new UFC contract. Page's 5-1 record gives him a strong negotiating position, and the UFC could decide that his name value and potential upside are worth another opportunity.
The second is a short-term deal or a lower-risk contract designed to see whether Page can change his approach and produce more entertaining fights.
The third is free agency.
If the UFC decides to move on, Page should have options outside the promotion. His reputation from Bellator remains valuable, and other MMA organizations could view him as an established international star capable of headlining events.
For Page, however, the UFC clearly remains the preferred destination.
He has said he wants to continue competing in the organization and believes he still has something special to deliver.
The question is whether the UFC believes the same thing.
Final Verdict
Michael “Venom” Page has done almost everything right on paper since entering the UFC: five wins, one loss, and victories over several recognizable opponents.But MMA isn't judged solely by records.
The UFC brought Page in because it expected him to create spectacular moments. Six fights later, he has yet to score a UFC finish, and his latest victory was met with widespread criticism from the Paris crowd.
The removal from rankings eligibility is the clearest sign yet that his UFC future is in serious doubt.
Still, the door may not be completely closed.
If Page can convince UFC officials that he is willing to take more risks, increase his output and return to the aggressive style that made him famous, another contract remains possible.
For now, though, “MVP” appears to be waiting for the most important decision of his UFC career: will the promotion give him another opportunity, or is UFC Paris the final chapter of Michael “Venom” Page's Octagon run?
