TLDR
- Michael Page was released by the UFC despite a 5-1 record and four straight wins
- UFC President Dana White confirmed the promotion has no interest in bringing Page back
- Page’s fights were criticized for lacking excitement and finishes during his UFC run
- Jake Paul’s MVP MMA and BKFC have already expressed interest in signing Page
- Page responded to his release on social media asking ‘What’s next?’
Sources: sports.yahoo.com | sports.yahoo.com | deadspin.com
Michael Page will not return to the UFC despite winning five of his six fights inside the Octagon. UFC President Dana White confirmed the promotion has decided not to offer the 39-year-old fighter a new contract.
Page leaves the UFC with a 5-1 record and four consecutive victories. His most recent win came at UFC Paris in September, where he defeated Nursulton Ruziboev by unanimous decision.
The decision to release Page appears to stem from concerns about his fighting style rather than his win-loss record. White stated that the UFC has no interest in bringing Page back because his fights weren’t exciting enough to watch.
Page entered the UFC with a reputation as a knockout artist from his time in Bellator MMA. He was known for his unusual karate stance, long reach, and flashy striking style that produced viral highlight-reel finishes.
Fighters cut by the UFC despite winning records.
Michael "Venom" Page: 5-1, contract not renewed in 2026
Muhammad Mokaev: 7-0, contract not renewed in 2024
Jailton Almeida: 8-3, released in February 2026Winning clearly isn't always enough in the UFC. pic.twitter.com/YtXhIj3kFH
— MMA UNCENSORED (@MMAUNCENSORED1) September 11, 2026
Conservative Approach in the Octagon
However, Page’s UFC career featured a more conservative approach. His victories over opponents like Shara Magomedov and Jared Cannonier were wins on paper but lacked the knockout moments that made him famous.
The Paris fight drew particular criticism from fans. Despite promises to showcase his traditional style, Page won another decision that was met with boos from the crowd.
Page competed at both welterweight and middleweight during his UFC tenure. He fought Sam Patterson and extended his winning streak, but none of his UFC bouts ended with a finish.
Page acknowledged after his Paris victory that something was missing from his UFC performances. He admitted the “wow factor” that defined his career before joining the promotion hadn’t translated to the Octagon.
Multiple Promotions Interested
Despite his UFC exit, Page has already attracted interest from other combat sports organizations. Jake Paul’s MVP MMA promotion has publicly stated they want to bring Page into their roster.
BKFC president David Feldman also expressed interest in signing the fighter. Page previously competed for BKFC, fighting Mike Perry at BKFC 27 in what was described as one of the most violent fights of his career.
Scott Coker’s new MMA promotion, tentatively called Strike MMA, could also pursue Page. Karate Combat and professional boxing represent other potential paths for the fighter.
Page responded to his release on Instagram with a simple message: “That was fun…. What’s next?” He also posted a humorous reaction to negative comments he received after his last fight.
The fighter wrote “Me trying to handle the internet’s opinion” alongside his post addressing criticism. Page’s social media reactions suggested he was taking the news in stride.
At 39 years old, Page now enters free agency as a fighter with proven ability to win but questions about his entertainment value. His next move will determine whether a different promotional environment can revive the explosive fighting style that made him famous outside the UFC.
