Michael 'Venom' Page is set to make a statement this Saturday at UFC Paris, where he faces Nursulton Ruziboev in a crucial welterweight matchup. This fight not only marks the final bout of Page's current UFC contract but also represents an opportunity for him to reestablish his standing within the organization.
Page, a 39-year-old fighter from England, has expressed a desire to remind the UFC of his capabilities and the excitement he can bring to the octagon. "There’s so much left for me to do," Page stated during the UFC Paris Media Day. He acknowledged that his journey with the UFC has not unfolded as he had hoped, admitting that he feels a disconnect between himself and the promotion. "I feel like I haven’t delivered what I wanted to deliver," he added, emphasizing his determination to change that narrative.
Since joining the UFC in 2023, Page's trajectory has been somewhat unpredictable. He debuted against fan-favorite Kevin Holland but faced a setback when he lost to Ian Machado Garry in his subsequent fight. Following that loss, Page's visibility within the promotion seemed to diminish, leading to questions about his future. He later competed in two fights at middleweight, achieving victories over Shara Bullet and ranked contender Jared Cannonier, before returning to welterweight for a bout against unranked Sam Patterson in March.
Now, as he prepares to take on Ruziboev, Page is determined to deliver a performance that will reignite interest in his career. "Everyone always remembers the last performance, so this performance is key to do exceptionally well for all of the above, but for me personally, it’s specifically to remind the UFC why they brought me to this organization," Page explained. He aims to showcase his skills and remind fans of his potential, stating, "Get them excited about seeing me again."
In addition to wanting to impress the fans, Page sees this fight as a chance to clarify his future with the UFC. He expressed his intention to sit down with UFC officials post-fight to gain insight into their expectations and discuss the best path forward for his career. "I prefer if I have targets, and I have an idea of what I’m supposed to do, then I go and attack it," he remarked, highlighting his proactive approach to his career.
UFC Paris is set to take place at the Accor Arena and will be headlined by a lightweight clash between Dan Hooker and Salahdine Parnasse. As Page steps into the octagon, all eyes will be on him to see if he can deliver a performance that not only secures a victory but also revitalizes his standing within the UFC.
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