Michael ‘Venom’ Page Suspects Bad Blood With UFC Bosses After Latest Fight Announcement

Michael 'Venom' Page suspects strained relationship with UFC top brass after being set up to fight unranked contender at UFC London.

Michael ‘Venom’ Page Suspects Bad Blood With UFC Bosses After Latest Fight Announcement

Michael 'Venom' Page talks about the lack of interest from UFC (via X)

In Short
  • Michael 'Venom' Page feels sidelined by UFC matchmaking and suspects he has upset UFC executives.
  • He is set to fight unranked Sam Patterson at UFC London, which Page views as a step down in competition.
  • Page's recent performances have raised doubts about his star power and ability to secure high-profile matchups.

Michael ‘Venom’ Page was one of the UFC’s most exciting signings, known for his charismatic style and dynamic performances. In recent months, his popularity has waned as high‑profile matchups failed to appear. Now set to return at UFC London against Sam Patterson, Page highlighted that the matchup focuses on a lower‑ranked opponent. The fight reflects a sense that the UFC’s attention on his star power has declined.

Page entered the UFC in 2024 and made an immediate impact with a dominant performance against Kevin Holland at UFC 299. His striking, unorthodox style drew attention from fans and the media. However, he was stopped by Irish star Ian Garry at UFC 303, casting doubt on his consistency and star-level potential. The loss highlighted challenges in MVP’s transition to the highest level of competition.

However, he moved up to middleweight and rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Sharaputdin Magomedov. He followed that with a win over former title challenger Jared Cannonier at UFC 319. Despite rebuilding momentum, Page is now scheduled to face Patterson back at welterweight. Patterson remains unranked in the top 15, a detail Page referenced when discussing the matchup’s direction.

Not (a fight) that I expected or was even looking for. I came here for big fights, I came here for big names, since my last fight I’ve been asking for absolutely everybody and for different reasons it seems no one is willing to take the fight. Definitely not a fight I wanted. I’m not sure what winning a fight like this means outside of a potential highlight reel. I don’t feel like I’m in good favor with the UFC at the moment. I would’ve felt like a name like myself I felt I would’ve been positioned higher. It feels like I’ve upset somebody.

Michael Venom Page via MMA Junkie

Sam Patterson is an English welterweight with a 4-1 UFC record, earning multiple stoppage victories. His wins over Yohan Lainesse and Trey Waters highlighted his size and submission skills at 170 pounds. He enters the UFC London matchup against Page riding a four-fight win streak, all first-round finishes. Despite that run, he sits at No. 36 due to limited experience against top-tier opposition.

This is not the first time Page has felt sidelined by UFC matchmaking. He previously called out UFC CEO Dana White for questioning his activity, noting that he has competed in two divisions during his tenure. ‘MVP’ maintained that he remained willing to fight at both welterweight and middleweight. He also revealed that the promotion struggled to secure opponents, saying he believed few were willing to face him.

Once known for his flashy striking and unique style during his Bellator run, Michael Venom Page has yet to secure a finish in the UFC. The absence of stoppage victories may have affected his placement in higher-profile matchups. Without a defining performance, his momentum inside the promotion has remained steady rather than explosive. The UFC London bout carries major stakes for his future trajectory.

Michael ‘Venom’ Page gets called out by former rival for a rematch

Sharaputdin Magomedov entered the UFC as a dangerous middleweight prospect, building a strong résumé across Russian MMA circuits. He arrived undefeated and quickly gained momentum with a series of dominant knockout victories after a measured debut. That surge was halted in February 2025 when he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Michael ‘Venom’ Page.

Michael Venom Page vs Sharaputdin Magomedov
Michael Venom Page vs Sharaputdin Magomedov (via MMA Fighting)

After the loss to Page, Magomedov returned to the win column with a Fight of the Night performance against Marc-Andre Barriault in July 2026. The victory restored momentum in the middleweight division following his first professional defeat. With his standing stabilized, Magomedov has turned his focus back to Michael Venom Page to avenge the setback, crediting illness for his loss in their first meeting.

And next up, a Michael Page rematch. That is a must. I want to prove to the fans that the first time I just failed to show what I’m capable of. I didn’t show anything just because I wasn’t able to do so because of health issues. I wasn’t my true self in the Octagon. Unfortunately, there was just 30 percent of me in there, It was the worst camp in my entire professional MMA career. I’ve never felt that sick in the cage.

Sharaputdin Magomedov via Ushatayka

Magomedov’s pursuit of Michael Venom Page carries broader implications for the UFC middleweight division. A successful return to contention would strengthen his case for a ranked matchup and a possible top-15 entry. The rebuild reflects the division’s current competitive depth and shifting hierarchy. His upcoming performances will determine whether a rematch with Page becomes a viable high-stakes contest.

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