Michael ‘Venom’ Page wants ‘to remind the UFC why they brought me to this organization’ at UFC Paris

Michael 'Venom' Page is determined to remind the UFC why they signed him, and he plans to do exactly that this Saturday at UFC Paris against Nursulton Ruziboev. The featured welterweight bout marks the final fight on Page's current contract with the promotion, and a strong performance could prove crucial to his future in the organization.

Page's UFC run has been unexpectedly underwhelming for the viral knockout artist who arrived as a major signing in 2023. After an initial loss to Ian Machado Garry following his debut against Kevin Holland, the promotion appeared to lose momentum behind him. He won fights at middleweight against Shara Bullet and ranked contender Jared Cannonier before dropping back to welterweight to face Sam Patterson in March. Now facing unranked welterweight Ruziboev, Page acknowledges the disconnect between himself and the UFC but remains focused on reigniting their interest through dominant performance.

"Everyone always remembers the last performance, so this performance is key," Page said at UFC Paris Media Day, emphasizing his desire to showcase the explosive striking that earned him recognition before joining the promotion. At 39 years old, Page insists he still has plenty to contribute to the sport but recognizes he hasn't delivered the results expected. He's eager to establish clear objectives with the UFC going forward—targets and direction that would allow him to attack his career with purpose.

Page's call for alignment with the promotion reflects a broader frustration with how his tenure has unfolded. Rather than lamenting his position, he's approaching Saturday's fight as an opportunity to reset the conversation and prove his value once again. The UFC Paris card takes place Saturday at Accor Arena, headlined by a lightweight fight between Dan Hooker and Salahdine Parnasse.