Michael Page jokes about backlash after UFC declines to re-sign him

Michael Page's UFC tenure has ended after the promotion declined to re-sign the English striker following his final contracted bout at UFC Paris.

Page defeated Nursulton Ruziboev via unanimous decision to complete his UFC contract, but two days later UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the organization would not extend an offer to re-sign him. Across six UFC appearances, Page compiled a 5–1 record but failed to recapture the knockout prowess that defined his pre-UFC reputation. All six of his UFC fights went the distance, with most receiving negative crowd reactions and criticism for lacking excitement.

Rather than engaging seriously with the backlash, Page responded with humor on social media, posting a photo of himself pushing a large rock and captioning it: "Me trying to handle the internet's opinions." The 39-year-old's next destination remains unclear, though his options appear to include a return to bare-knuckle boxing—BKFC president Dave Feldman has publicly expressed interest—or a potential move to Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions. Page's UFC exit underscores how fighter marketability and fan engagement can be just as important as win-loss records when promotion decisions are made.