Dana White has confirmed that Michael “Venom” Page has left the UFC, after speculation that his deal would not be renewed.
Page outpointed Nursulton Ruziboev on Saturday to move to 5-1 since his UFC debut in 2024, but the flashy striker failed to score a signature knockout in any of those bouts.
Throughout his UFC tenure, the Briton said he believed the promotion was not enamoured with his performances, and there was a fresh turn after his win in Paris last weekend.
Journalist John Morgan tweeted on Monday: “Michael ‘Venom’ Page was initially available to be ranked following his #UFCParis victory, but voters were notified this morning that is no longer the case.”
Morgan also shared a message, apparently from the UFC, which read: “Dear Panelists: Michael Page has been removed from rankings eligibility effective immediately.
“If you have ranked him in your middleweight division already, we ask that you please re-rank that division to make sure you have 15 athletes.”
Then, on Tuesday, UFC president White said at a press conference: “That was his last fight on his contract. I don’t think we’re signing him, no.
“What’s the confusion? I think it’s been pretty clear that he wasn’t being re-signed, and that he would be taken out of the rankings, because he’s no longer on the roster.”
Page, who is yet to comment on his UFC exit, alternated between the welterweight and middleweight divisions during his time in the promotion, fighting three times at each weight.
After beating Kevin Holland at welterweight on Page’s debut, the 39-year-old lost to Ian Machado Garry via decision. He then fought at middleweight twice in a row, beating Shara Magomedov and former title challenger Jared Cannonier.
One more welterweight outing ensued, as he defeated compatriot Sam Patterson in London this March. Then came the middleweight win over Ruziboev, in what appears to be Page’s final UFC bout.
One X user replied to Morgan’s update by writing, “Yea sorry this is bulls***. I get you don’t wanna deal with him or his style but regardless of all the s*** talking bout em, he’s a massive fan favorite. Social media dictating careers needs to end, record is like 29-3 [26-3] but because of those reasons he’s gonna be let go. Never was allowed a real opportunity at 170[lb], forced to 185 and still won.”
Former UFC heavyweight Gerald Harris fighter: “I think what he said was real and honest, but he should have showed out in that last fight if he wanted to secure his job. This is coming from a guy who was cut after one loss.”
“Cut for being too good and too hard to figure out,” another user wrote.
