Michael ‘Venom’ Page is not ready to turn the proverbial page marked ‘UFC career’ just yet – but if Dana White and Co don’t recognise his star power, then perhaps Hollywood will.
‘MVP’ wants to be treated like the MMA VIP he is, and is determined to prove his worth against Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris this Saturday. The Londoner made his name during a near-decade-long run with Bellator before finally signing with the UFC in 2024.
However, despite an impressive 4-1 record in the Octagon, ‘MVP’ hasn’t always been given the spotlight his talents deserve, with his clash with Uzbekistan middleweight Ruziboev the last on his current UFC contract.
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Page is more than willing to re-sign, but said: “This is my last fight [on my current deal]. I’m looking to make a big statement, and then push for a title in the next contract.
“I want to negotiate and get more on the same wavelength as the UFC, to understand what path they see me on.
“But the goal is still the title, so this fight is going to be me making my last stand and showing how talented I still am. And then we go again.
“Nursulton was someone willing to fight. There’s a difference. I think that’s what it is at the moment, just trying to find willing fighters seems to be very, very difficult.”
Movie stars Jean-Claude Van Damme and Bruce Lee were just as influential to a young Page, who utilises his side-on stance and constant bouncing in the cage to dart in and out of range and pick off opponents, as MMA greats like Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida were later in his career.
And while the 39-year-old is hoping to get a second take with the UFC and a run at title gold, he is happy to take his fighting skills to the silver screen.
‘MVP’ added: “I am doing a lot of things outside of MMA. It’s nice to be in that position where I can now generate and make moves away from the sport.
“I’ve started a production company and I’m doing a lot of acting. In fact, over here, Fightland is coming out soon, which I’ve got a very small part in.
“Roadhouse 2 [the sequel to the Roadhouse remake starring Jake Gyllenhall and fellow UFC legend Conor McGregor], which is probably going to be out next year, I have got a part in that. I’m doing a lot of other bits and pieces as well, which is good.
“I enjoy that side, I enjoy the creative side of it. Everyone knows I like to entertain, so I really try to become the character and entertain in that way.
“But while I’m still enjoying MMA, and while my body’s like, ‘Yep, we can keep doing this’, I’m gonna stay in it.”
UP NEXT: UFC Paris, Saturday, 8pm. French star Salahdine Parnasse makes his company debut against lightweight stalwart Dan Hooker in the main event.
MONEY MATCH: Light-heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas (8/5) can upset fans at the Accor Arena with a win over France’s Oumar Sy. More odds and full UFC betting available at boylesports.com
FINAL SAY: “He is not going anywhere. We are good with Tom Aspinall.” UFC chief Dana White, speaking to Spinnin Backfist, shuts down rumours the heavyweight champion will walk away from the Octagon.