Michael Page says he’s ‘holding back’ after UFC Paris decision win

Michael Page earned a unanimous decision victory over Nursulton Ruziboev in the final bout of his current UFC contract at UFC Paris, yet the accomplished striker left the cage frustrated rather than celebratory. Once renowned as one of MMA's most feared knockout artists before joining the UFC, Page has struggled to replicate that finishing prowess at the elite level and continues to rack up decision wins. During his post-fight interview, Page acknowledged that his comfort in the cage often signals a lack of engagement on his part. He expressed frustration with his tendency to chase perfection and precision rather than taking the risks necessary to create the explosive, crowd-pleasing moments his reputation demands. "The frustrating thing is I feel great, which sometimes means I haven't done enough and the results show that I haven't done enough," Page said. "Probably need to push myself a little bit more, take a few more risks. Sometimes I just want it to be too clean, too precise. I just feel like I'm holding back and I want to give more." Page insisted that he, the fans, and the UFC all deserve higher-level performances going forward, and he pledged to become more aggressive and less calculated in his approach. With his current contract set to expire, Page's comments suggest he may be seeking to renegotiate or prove his marketability by delivering the spectacular finishes that made him famous.