If Michael “Venom” Page was looking for a major performance to get on the path to a title shot, and on the last fight of his current UFC contract, this wasn’t it.
Page scored a narrow unanimous decision win over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris in a bout that ended with both competitors being booed.
UFC on Paramount+ on X: 29-28 for all 3 in favor of MVP
Ruziboev scored a takedown on Page seconds into the fight, dominating the first round with his grappling pressure and positioning. Even though he didn’t land anything significant and Page got to his feet, Ruziboev racked up control time until MVP freed himself with about 30 seconds left in the frame.
Page and Ruziboev went to the feet in round two, as they traded leg kicks, and MVP looked to implement his classic creative stances and low-line kicks on Ruziboev’s lead leg. Ruziboev grabbed a hold of one of Page’s legs and dumped him to the mat, only for MVP to get back up right away.
MVP landed a right hand to start the third before the two traded words. Ruziboev grabbed a leg and dumped Page back down, but Page worked his way back to his feet.
Page scored 29-28 victories across all three judges’ scorecards.
Page is 5-1 in the UFC since arriving in the promotion from Bellator in 2024, with his sole loss coming to recent title challenger Ian Machado Garry. Page, however, has faced criticism for the lack of excitement and knockouts in the fights during his UFC tenure.
Page has not scored a finish since defeating Goiti Yamauchi with a leg kick in under 30 seconds at Bellator 292. It was Page’s final fight with Bellator and took place almost exactly one year before his UFC debut.
