Michael ‘Venom’ Page Feels ‘Free of the Shackles’ After UFC Exit

Michael "Venom" Page has officially moved on from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, signing a multiyear, multifight contract with MF Sports. The English standout departed the promotion following a 5-1 run that concluded with a unanimous decision victory over Nursulton Ruziboev in September, after which the UFC opted not to renew his contract.

Speaking to The Stomping Ground, Page reflected on how quickly the transition came together and expressed enthusiasm about his new home at Misfits Boxing. "To be fair, this one happened relatively quickly," Page said. "We kind of didn’t know as recently as three or four days back; it still wasn’t 100% confirmed where we’re going.

Like I said out there, I feel free of the shackles. I’m a very creative person — my walkouts, my entrances, my exits — and I wasn’t allowed to do that. And I feel like here, they’re literally like, ‘Look, we want you to be yourself.’ That’s going to help me be my best self."

Page also revealed frustration with matchmaking constraints during his UFC tenure, explaining that he felt limited despite calling out major names. "I went in there, and I was Top 10 in two divisions; I was calling out everybody, wasn’t getting…" Page noted. "Again, [I] felt very restricted, so it’s a shame because I felt like there was more fights, big fights that could be had. The big fights, the big names that are out there, that are away from other shows, it’s all going to happen."