Ali Akbar RosadyMichael "Venom" Page, a prominent figure in mixed martial arts, has expressed significant frustration regarding his current standing and future trajectory within the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), suggesting he feels deliberately sidelined by the promotion’s matchmaking decisions. The former Bellator standout, who made his much-anticipated UFC debut in 2024, has compiled a respectable 3-1 record across the welterweight and middleweight divisions, yet he perceives his upcoming bout as a step backward, leading to speculation about his relationship with the organization.
Page’s entry into the UFC was met with considerable hype, given his decade-long tenure in Bellator where he cultivated a reputation for spectacular, highlight-reel finishes and an unorthodox, striking-heavy style. His initial run in the UFC has seen him secure victories over established names like Jared Cannonier and Kevin Holland, in addition to handing the previously undefeated Shara Bullet his first professional loss. These wins, particularly against Cannonier, a perennial contender, were expected to propel "MVP" rapidly up the rankings. However, his scheduled bout on March 21 against Sam Patterson at UFC London has raised questions for Page himself and observers regarding the strategic direction of his career.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, Page openly questioned the logic behind his upcoming fight and its placement on the card. "You look at the co-main event, you look at the whole card in general and it’s not the most exciting," Page stated, referencing the overall lineup for UFC London. "I would have felt that a name like myself being on that card, I’m always going to go and show out always and make noise as I’ve always done, but I’m being positioned on the card in a weird way and I’ve been given an opponent, which is a bit of a weird opponent as well." This sentiment underscores a growing concern for the 38-year-old fighter, who concluded his remarks on the matter by stating, "It just feels like I’ve upset somebody."
The choice of Sam Patterson as an opponent is central to Page’s apprehension. While Patterson, a welterweight, is an emerging talent boasting four consecutive first-round finishes, he does not possess the established name recognition that Page believes he has earned through his recent victories. Further complicating the matchup is the pre-existing relationship between the two fighters, who have trained together in the past and maintain a friendly rapport. This personal connection, coupled with Patterson’s relative anonymity compared to Page’s previous opponents, contributes to the perception that this fight offers minimal upward mobility for Page.
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Page himself offered a potential explanation for the perceived slowdown in his ascent, speculating that his inability to secure a finish within the UFC octagon might be a factor. Throughout his extensive career in Bellator, Page became synonymous with dramatic knockouts and viral moments, a characteristic that has yet to fully manifest in his UFC performances. "I think the only thing I could suggest based on the stuff I’ve done – although I feel like I’ve had some great fights – the only thing I could really suggest is I haven’t had a finish, so it’s like maybe they’ve looked to purchase somebody that is known for spectacular finishes and I haven’t quite achieved that yet, so it could possibly be that," Page theorized.
He acknowledged the heightened level of competition within the UFC, suggesting that the elite talent pool makes finishes inherently more challenging to achieve. "At the same time, it’s the UFC. They are marketed as the best mixed martial arts show in the world, so therefore it’s going to be a lot more difficult to finish guys and you see how the talent pool that is growing constantly all the time, so it’s always going to be difficult. That’s the only thing I can really put forward as to potentially being an issue," Page elaborated. Despite the lack of finishes, he maintained that his fights have been exciting and well-received, with even the UFC itself promoting highlights from his bouts.
Beyond the specific opponent, Page voiced broader frustrations concerning the welterweight division, which he described as a "traffic jam." Following his victory over Cannonier at UFC 319 in August, Page indicated that his team actively sought out a higher-ranked opponent, only to encounter repeated roadblocks. The welterweight title picture, currently awaiting the next defense by champion Islam Makhachev, appears to be in a state of stasis, contributing to a lack of clear opportunities for contenders like Page. This stagnation has even led Page to consider a permanent move to middleweight, a division he feels might offer a more straightforward path to contention. "If I felt like I was a bit more naturally bigger, I think middleweight is definitely the right path. I don’t have to keep questioning it after every fight," he stated.
Page further detailed the difficulties in securing matchups, recounting instances where potential opponents’ names were floated, only for the UFC to communicate their unwillingness to fight. This led him to independently verify these claims. "It got to a point where I was literally like, ‘Is the UFC lying about stuff?’ Because the amount of times somebody’s name came across and they were like, ‘Oh no, they’re not going to take it,’ to the point where we actually had to go and confirm, ask the coach, ‘Did you get offered the fight?’ Ask them how come they didn’t want to accept the fight, it’s like, ‘Yeah, they’re not interested in fighting MVP.’ At least I’m not being lied to," Page revealed.
This pattern suggests that Page’s unique, often elusive, and highly effective standup style, which once made him a fan favorite, might now be a deterrent for other fighters. His unorthodox approach could be making him a high-risk, low-reward opponent for those seeking to climb the ranks. "It feels like, again, the anomaly of my style is now kind of biting me a little bit because it makes people wanting to accept this kind of fight a bit more difficult," Page commented. He expressed uncertainty regarding the UFC’s perception of him and his fighting style, questioning how he should strategize his career moving forward, particularly given his belief that a win over Patterson, while necessary, may not significantly advance his standing beyond providing a potential highlight. "I definitely don’t feel like I’m in good favor with UFC at the moment," Page concluded, summarizing his current disposition.
The upcoming fight at UFC London, therefore, carries significant weight for Michael Page. While Sam Patterson presents a legitimate challenge as a rising prospect, the narrative surrounding the bout for Page is less about a direct path to a title shot and more about re-establishing his value and intent within the UFC framework. A dominant performance, particularly one ending in a highlight-reel finish, could address some of the concerns Page himself has raised, potentially prompting a re-evaluation from UFC matchmakers and opening doors to the marquee matchups he believes he deserves. Conversely, anything less could further entrench him in what he perceives as a strategic limbo, making his journey through the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion increasingly complex.
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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Terrance McKinney (17-8) vs. Kyle Nelson (17-6-1); UFC Seattle, March 28
Jose Delano (16-3) vs. Robert Ruchala (11-2); UFC Vegas 115, April 4
FINAL THOUGHTS
On the one hand, I really like the Page-Patterson matchup, and I think Patterson deserves a step up in competition; on the other hand, Page makes a good point. Is it just his occasionally un-fan-friendly style that is scaring the matchmakers away from giving him a bigger name or is this just the role Page is expected to play at this stage of his career? Suffice to say, there’s a lot on the line at UFC London for both fighters. – Lee
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