Robert Whittaker befuddled by Michael ‘Venom’ Page’s UFC Paris performance: ‘I didn’t even want to watch it’

Robert Whittaker has expressed frustration with Michael "Venom" Page's fighting style following Page's decision victory over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris, admitting he struggled to watch the bout live. While Whittaker acknowledged Page's technical excellence—his speed, fluidity, and point-scoring acumen—he found the action-light performance difficult to engage with, even as a fellow fighter who respects Page's abilities.

Page improved to 5-1 in the UFC with the win, though his future with the promotion remains uncertain after the bout marked the final fight of his contract. He has since been removed from official rankings eligibility, suggesting his departure from the roster. Page has vowed to improve the entertainment value of his fights going forward, facing mounting criticism over a pattern of uneventful performances despite maintaining an impressive win streak that includes victories over Jared Cannonier and Nursulton Ruziboev.

Whittaker's assessment highlights a central paradox of Page's career: his defensive, point-focused strategy is extraordinarily difficult to overcome in competition, yet it alienates fans and media alike. Whittaker suggested Page appears to have "a live feed of the judges' scorecards," adjusting his output just enough to maintain scoring advantages without taking risks. The middleweight contender acknowledged the financial incentive driving such calculated approaches—fighters earn more for wins—but warned that Page's reluctance to engage could backfire if he suddenly abandons his formula.

Page became a star during his Bellator tenure, generating viral knockout highlights against lesser competition, but has failed to replicate that excitement in the UFC. If Page departs the promotion, his next destination remains unclear, though any promoter will face the challenge of marketing a fighter whose in-cage style, however effective, struggles to generate the memorable moments fans crave. Whittaker conceded that Page presents a genuine puzzle for opponents, even if watching him solve that puzzle remains testing for viewers.