There was a chance, depending on the outcome of Michael “Venom” Page’s fight with Nursulton Ruziboev on Saturday, that UFC Paris might be the last time fans saw “MVP” inside the octagon.
On the last fight of his UFC deal, Page had proven to be harder for the UFC to promote than expected. With a 4-1 run in the company, the British star had the right record, but also lacked a finish inside the octagon, and had even derailed the highly hyped Shara Bullet, likely the the dismay of the promotion’s matchmakers.
MVP had promised he was looking for a finish ahead of his bout at the Accor Arena.
Ruziboev proved early that it would be no easy feet. He landed a takedown all of 15 seconds in, if that. Page threw up what looked like a buggy choke off his back, but Ruziboev gave the thumbs up, and MVP dropped it. Ruziboev then settled into Page’s guard, where a lack of action brought out boo-birds in the crowd. Nursulton did find enough room to land a few elbows, but Page would escape to his feet, with over a minute still on the clock. That led to a clinch along the fence, with Ruziboev controlling the action, and Page appearing to complain about something to the ref.
Page freed himself and got off the fence with 30 seconds to go, firing a big overhand punch once he did. He fired another as Ruziboev moved in prior to the horn.
Round two saw Page punch his way into a clinch, then fire a shoulder strike and knees before the break. A side kick to the knee of Ruziboev wobbled him; he then came up short on a takedown attempt. Ruziboev then fired a leg kick of his own, appearing to have survived the kick that buckled his leg. When Ruziboev closed the distance just past the midway mark, Page clinched up, then used a trip attempt to get back to range. Another kick to the knee by Page came next, with Ruziboev catching it. MVP showed incredible balance hopping back to the fence, and when he was finally dumped on his back he was immediately up to his feet. Page finished the round landing an overhand, but Ruziboev did him one better, connecting flush just after.
Page came out hot in round three, on the attack and jawing as well. Ruziboev went after a single leg, took Page to the fence, and landed it, and this time Page couldn’t get right back up. He would eventually wall walk up, get a body lock, and turn Ruziboev against the cage. Ruziboev then landed a low knee, resulting in the ref taking away the position, as well as warning Nursulton for a lack of action. Page did a bit of showboating, then fired a two-punch combo that Ruziboev retreated from. Page fanned on a spinning kick in the final minute, after which they would go to the horn in a clinch, crowd once again booing.
Not the fight Michael “Venom” Page wanted in the end. The outcome, however, was in his favor. Whether the UFC chooses to keep him, or release a fighter on a four-fight win streak, is the question.
Official Result: Michael Page def. Nursulton Ruziboev by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
