UFC welterweight Sam Patterson admitted he was caught off guard when he first received the call to face Michael Venom Page at UFC London on Saturday night.
The unexpected matchup now presents Patterson with the biggest opportunity of his career, as he steps in against one of the division’s most recognizable and unorthodox strikers.
“At first yes (I was surprised). It’s like going from the regional scene when you fight the fellow UK guys to get to the international scene,” Patterson told reporters on Wednesday.
“And then you’re fighting guys from all around the world. It was a shock at first, but when you take that away, it’s just another opponent. A step in the right direction.”
Patterson (14-2-1) believes a victory over Page could propel him into the UFC rankings. While he has full respect for his opponent, he knows he’ll need to set that aside when he faces “MVP” on Saturday night.
“Yeah definitely. He’s in the top 15. If I go out there and beat him I should be taking that spot. He’s one of the best to come out of the UK. All the respect to Michael Page, but Saturday night that all goes out the window,” he said.
“It’s about just taking him out.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Sam Patterson above. He faces Michael Venom Page at UFC London on Saturday night.
