UFC Made the Right Call To Let Michael Page Go
The UFC made the right call letting go of middleweight Michael Page, despite a 5-1 record in the Octagon.
Following another boring fight, this time a decision win over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris, I urged the UFC to make a hard pass on re-signing Page.
Related: UFC Should Hard Pass on Re-Signing Michael Page
Well, it appears the UFC listened, as UFC president Dana White confirmed with reporters this week that the Brit won’t be back, as the world’s leading MMA organization has decided to let him go.
It was not only the right call by White and the UFC, but it was an easy call if you watched his fights inside the Octagon.
Michael Page’s UFC Fights Were Terrible to Watch
Not one of Page’s six UFC fights was what you would call entertaining.
In his UFC debut, he fought fan favorite Kevin Holland, someone who has won tons of bonuses for his exciting fights, yet his matchup against Page wasn’t anything special.
But given it was Page’s UFC debut, you can give him a bit of a pass for that, as many fighters struggle in their promotional debuts due to what is commonly known as the “Octagon jitters.”
His second UFC fight was a decision loss to Ian Machado Garry, another dull fight. But Machado Garry isn’t really an exciting fighter either, so once again, you can kind of give Page a pass for that one.
But that’s the last time you can really give him a pass for his lackluster performances.
Against Shara Magomedov, Page won a decision yet again, but this time, he was fighting a fellow striker who he was clearly better on the feet against, yet he never really pushed for a finish.
Frustrating, but again, Page got his hand raised.
Page’s next fight against Jared Cannonier, another fighter known for his incredibly exciting fights, was a snore as well, as Page point-fought his way to a victory.
The UFC then matched up Page against Sam Patterson, a former training partner, and this fight was a complete bore, as neither fighter did anything, leading to a chorus of boos from the fans.
Page promised after that fight that he would open up in his next bout, but once again, he didn’t do it in a decision win over Ruziboev, which ultimately spelled his demise on the UFC roster, as the company decided not to re-sign him.
It was an easy call by the UFC, who have saved the fans from watching another boring Page fight where he just stared at his opponent for 15 minutes.
Thank you for listening to the fans on this one, UFC.
What’s Next for ‘MVP?’
Despite his boring UFC fights, Page has already garnered interest from rival combat sports organizations, as both Jake Paul of MVP MMA/PFL and David Feldman of BKFC have indicated having interest in signing him to their fighting promotions.
Although Page’s UFC run was a bore to watch, the fact remains that he is a massive name in combat sports, and if he fights a step down in competition, we may see the return of the knockout artist that he once was in Bellator MMA for so many years.
That guy clearly wasn’t the fighter that the UFC signed, but these other promotions are hoping he can turn back the clock with their organizations.
I’m not convinced, though.
At age 39 and soon to be 40, Page has figured out a way to win fights without taking much damage in them, and there is no real reason for him to change his style.
The fans might boo, but as long as Page gets paid, what does he care?
The UFC already got tricked by thinking they were signing an exciting fighter.
Now, Page is going to find the next sucker to sign him and give him a big bag of money, just for him to dance around on the outside and win on points.
And I won’t be watching when that happens.
Related: New French Star Salahdine Parnasse Calls Out Holloway at UFC Paris
This story was originally published by Lindys Sports on Sep 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Other Sports section. Add Lindys Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.