Michael “Venom” Page’s time with the UFC appears to be over after just six fights with the promotion. Page most recently faced Nursulton Ruziboev in the main event of UFC Paris, earning a unanimous decision victory in a bout that marked the final fight of his UFC contract. Shortly after the win, Page was removed from the UFC rankings, and Dana White has now confirmed that the promotion does not plan to offer him a new deal.
UFC Decision on Michael “Venom” Page Revealed as Dana White Confirms Exit
Dana White faced an unusually large media contingent at the Meta APEX during Tuesday night’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series. With reporters already in Las Vegas for the upcoming Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn showdown, the UFC event became an early stop during fight week. Naturally, one of the biggest questions put to White involved the future of Michael “Venom” Page and the confusion surrounding his status with the promotion.
The uncertainty began after UFC rankings voters received an email instructing them not to consider Page for this week’s rankings. Although Page briefly appeared in the AI Meta rankings, White cleared up the situation when asked about his contract. “That was the last fight on his contract,” White replied when asked. “I don’t think we’re signing him, no.” He also questioned why there had been confusion, saying, “I think it’s been pretty clear that he wasn’t being re-signed and that he would be taken out of the ranking because he’s not on the roster.” The comments confirmed that Page is officially no longer a UFC fighter.
Page joined the UFC in 2024 after making his name in Bellator, where he built a reputation for his unorthodox striking, flashy finishes and entertaining personality. The 39-year-old enjoyed considerable success in the UFC, going 5-1 and picking up wins over Kevin Holland, Shara Magomedov, Jared Cannonier, Sam Patterson and Nursulton Ruziboev. His only defeat came against Ian Machado Garry, with all six of his UFC appearances going the distance.
Despite that record, Page’s UFC run was marked by a noticeable lack of finishes and several low-action performances. His final outing against Ruziboev at UFC Paris ended in another unanimous decision, bringing his contract to an end. Page had previously spoken about wanting to show the promotion why it signed him, but his latest performance failed to deliver the kind of explosive display that had made him a major attraction earlier in his career.
Michael “Venom” Page’s UFC Exit Opens Door to New Opportunities in MMA
There were also questions over how Page was being matched during his UFC tenure. After facing recognizable opponents such as Holland and Magomedov, he was subsequently booked against Sam Patterson and Ruziboev, while his career also involved movement between welterweight and middleweight. Page had repeatedly acknowledged the need to make his fights more entertaining, including after his final UFC appearance, but the promotion ultimately decided against offering him another contract.
Page now enters free agency with a 26-3 professional record and a four-fight winning streak. His options could include several promotions, with new opportunities potentially emerging through Scott Coker’s upcoming promotion, the PFL or even BKFC, where Page has previously competed. After six UFC fights and a 5-1 record, the British striker’s next destination remains uncertain, but Michael “Venom” Page is officially back on the market.
