Jake Paul Wants Michael Page for MVP MMA After UFC Exit

Jake Paul is publicly courting Michael Page now that the UFC has cut ties with the striker, posting a direct pitch to bring "MVP" into Paul's soon-to-be-rebranded MVP MMA promotion.

Page's UFC run ended this past Saturday at UFC Paris, where he closed out his contract with a unanimous decision over Nursulton Ruziboev in a middleweight bout that drew boos from the crowd and left fans wanting more action. Two days later, Dana White confirmed following the latest episode of Dana White's Contender Series that the promotion would not be re-signing Page. Paul wasted no time responding on social media, writing "Think it's time to bring MVP to MVP," a nod to his own initials and Page's longtime nickname.

Why Did the UFC Let Michael Page Go?

Page leaves the UFC with a 5-1 record in the promotion, a strong mark on paper, but his stylistic approach kept drawing criticism even in victory. His only defeat came against Ian Machado Garry, who has since fought for the welterweight title, at UFC 303 in June 2024. The Paris crowd's reaction to his win over Ruziboev fits a pattern that has followed Page throughout his UFC tenure: he wins fights but rarely delivers the kind of fireworks that keep a crowd engaged, and that appears to have factored into the decision not to bring him back. Page pushed back on the criticism himself, posting an Instagram photo of himself pushing a boulder with the caption "Me trying to handle the internet's opinions."

What Would MVP MMA Look Like With Page?

Paul has been building out MVP MMA as his next venture beyond boxing promotion, and Page is exactly the kind of name that gives a startup promotion instant credibility. Page is a known quantity with a loyal following built over a decade between Bellator and the UFC, and his personality and highlight-reel finishes elsewhere in his career make him a marketable centerpiece even if his UFC style drew groans. For Paul, landing Page would be a statement signing that MVP MMA is serious about competing for name-value talent leaving the UFC, not just running an exhibition sideshow.

Betting Angle

There's no fight or line to price yet since this is a courtship, not a signed bout agreement, but the situation is worth watching for bettors who track fighter movement. If Page lands with MVP MMA, his markets would likely shift away from the deep, disciplined booking style the UFC offered and toward crowd-pleasing matchups built for spectacle, which historically produces more finish-heavy, higher-variance betting propositions than the decisions that defined his UFC stint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the UFC release Michael Page?

Michael Page's contract with the UFC ended after his unanimous decision win over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris, and Dana White confirmed the promotion would not be re-signing him, finishing Page's UFC run at 5-1.

What did Jake Paul say about signing Michael Page?

Jake Paul posted on social media that he wants to bring Michael Page into his MVP MMA promotion, writing "Think it's time to bring MVP to MVP."

What was Michael Page's UFC record?

Michael Page finished his UFC tenure with a 5-1 record, with his only loss coming to Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303 in June 2024.