Michael Page, popularly known as MVP, expected a busy run when he signed with the UFC. Instead, Page has found himself fighting less than anticipated and he’s not hiding his frustration.
Since joining the promotion at the end of 2023, Page has competed just twice a year. Despite staying fit and ready, he has struggled to secure consistent matchups. After his win over Jared Cannonier in August, Page pushed for another fight before the year ended, but that opportunity never came.
“To be fair, the goal was to get another one in like November/December because I knew they were going to make me wait,” Page said.
“I wanted to get one in sooner, but it doesn’t seem that they had the opponents, or whatever’s going on. But I wasn’t able to [fight] until now. It’s a shame, because I definitely wanted to get another one in, but we’re here. I’m excited to get back in.”
In his bid to stay active, Page even moved up to middleweight. He took a fight against Shara Magomedov and delivered an impressive performance, but the move was never part of his long-term plan.
“I always wanted to be back at welterweight,” Page said. “Even the Shara fight was a bit opportunistic. I made a little callout, and the UFC liked it and we made it happen. I was searching for fights at welterweight, wasn’t able to get any fights.”
“I got that fight, but then straight afterwards I was like, ‘Guys, I still want to go back to welterweight. Can we get any fights?’ It’s been since August. I’ve been asking for fights since August. It didn’t quite come until now.”
Now, Page returns at UFC London against Sam Patterson, a matchup he accepted without hesitation, even if it raised questions.
“I’ve been fishing but not too many people biting,” Page said.“I’ve asked for many, many different competitors, and we haven’t had anybody take the fight. For whatever reason, it’s not always the same thing. I’m not going to belittle anybody and say they’re scared. That’s too easy to do.”
“But they’re definitely more cautious of fighting a star like mine and would prefer to fight people with a more generic style of MMA. That side of it has been frustrating.”
Page admitted that the situation has been confusing, especially when he sees other fighters getting booked while he waits on the sidelines.
“That is what has been the most frustrating,” Page said.“That just means I’m being turned down. I’m taking a look and asking, ‘What’s going on here?’ They’re telling me, ‘Yeah, he doesn’t want to do it,’ or ‘There’s an injury.’”
“It’s not about me building my name. I feel like I’ve created a name in this world, and I’m respected. I just want exciting fights. It is weird. I don’t understand what’s going on. All I can do is fight whoever is in front of me.”
At 38, Page understands that time is not on his side. The British striker wants to maximize his career by staying active, something he was accustomed to earlier in his combat sports journey.
“If it was down to us, we’d be fighting way more regularly,” Page said. “In freestyle kickboxing, it was near enough every weekend you’d be competing. I’m used to being aggressively active. When I got to the UFC, I expected regular fights as long as I’m fit to go.”
“I’ve been fit to go and it hasn’t been regular fights. So yes, definitely frustrating. I’m hoping this next fight, I get to go straight back in again.”
“There’s no point talking about it,” Page said. “I’ve got an opponent now. Let’s focus on putting on an amazing show for the UK fans, a great highlight reel, and then move forward and start searching for these guys again.”
