PARIS – Michael Page, known for his dynamic fighting style, is making a significant transition in his career by moving to the middleweight division. After navigating various weight classes, Page is set to face Nursulton Ruziboev in a 185-pound bout at UFC Fight Night 287, scheduled for Saturday at the Accor Arena.
With a professional record of 25 wins and 3 losses in MMA and 4 wins and 1 loss in the UFC, Page is currently ranked No. 8 in the middleweight category. His last outing was a victory at welterweight, where he defeated Sam Patterson in March. Despite his success, Page has expressed frustration with the matchmaking process in the welterweight division, which he describes as congested.
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Page elaborated on the challenges he faced while trying to secure fights at welterweight. "It seems to be the common thing is like, we are sending forward suggestions, and we start at the top and one by one, it’s like, this person’s already fighting, this person’s injured, this person whatever," he explained. This ongoing struggle led him to realize that middleweight might offer a clearer path for his career.
Page emphasized that his decision to move up is not just about finding more frequent fights but also about enjoying the sport more. "Welterweight seems very congested. It seems like many people are sitting on the sidelines waiting for opportunities instead of fighting to create opportunities," he said. His move to middleweight is a strategic choice aimed at revitalizing his career and allowing him to focus on what he loves most—fighting.
As he prepares for Ruziboev, who has an impressive record of 37 wins, 9 losses, and 2 draws, Page acknowledges the challenge ahead. Ruziboev has finished 34 of his 37 professional fights, a statistic that underscores his finishing ability. Although Page initially did not recognize Ruziboev, he later recalled having seen him fight before. "I have actually seen him fight, but again, I’m not too obsessive of watching MMA," Page noted, indicating that he relies heavily on his coaches for analysis and preparation.
Throughout his career, Page has been known for his highlight-reel knockouts, particularly during his time in Bellator. However, he recognizes that he has not always met the expectations placed upon him since joining the UFC. As he approaches the final fight on his UFC contract, he is determined to recapture the joy he felt in the cage. "I feel like just enjoy it more. It sounds silly to say, but even when I’ve watched some of my old fights, I was really just in my element, just living my best life," he reflected.
Page aims to bring that same energy back into the octagon, focusing on taking risks and enjoying the fight rather than solely concentrating on the outcomes. As he prepares for this pivotal matchup against Ruziboev, fans will be watching closely to see how this change in weight class and mindset affects his performance.
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