Dana White Confirms Michael Page Won't Return to UFC

Dana White has confirmed Michael "Venom" Page will not remain in the UFC, ending his run with the promotion after a 5-1 record. The UFC president made it official on Tuesday night, telling reporters after the latest Contender Series card that the promotion had no plans to re-sign the striker known as MVP.

"That was his last fight on his contract," White said. "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."

Why Is Michael Page Leaving the UFC?

Page closed out his six-fight UFC deal this past Saturday at UFC Paris, beating Nursulton Ruziboev by unanimous decision in the card's featured bout. That win pushed his UFC record to 5-1, but it was also his last obligation under contract. Panelists for the UFC's media rankings were notified Monday that Page had already been pulled from the roster, a day before White addressed it publicly.

White's comments made clear the decision was about entertainment value, not results. Page's UFC fights, including the Ruziboev bout, were largely tactical, out-fighting affairs built around his unorthodox distance striking, and never delivered the highlight-reel violence his Bellator run promised. A former Bellator interim title challenger, Page arrived in the UFC in 2024 with plenty of fanfare and a reputation as one of the sport's flashiest strikers, but the promotion clearly wanted more finishes and fireworks than he provided inside the Octagon.

What This Means for Page's Next Fight

Page now hits the open market as a 5-1 fighter with a track record most promotions would welcome. His style, built on feints, range control and awkward angles, made him a live betting underdog against far more heavily favored opposition throughout his career, and that profile does not change now that he is a free agent. Expect interest from other major promotions given his name value and drawing power, even if the UFC felt his fights were not must-see television. For bettors who followed him during his UFC tenure, the takeaway is that a strong record alone did not secure him a spot in the sport's biggest league, and wherever he lands next, oddsmakers will still have to account for a fighter capable of frustrating far more aggressive strikers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Michael Page still with the UFC?

No. Dana White confirmed that Michael 'Venom' Page's UFC contract has ended and the promotion will not re-sign him.

What was Michael Page's record in the UFC?

Michael Page went 5-1 across six fights in the UFC, most recently beating Nursulton Ruziboev by unanimous decision at UFC Paris.

Why didn't the UFC re-sign Michael Page?

Dana White indicated the decision was tied to the entertainment value of Page's fights, which were largely tactical rather than the highlight-reel finishes fans expected from him.