Michael “Venom” Page believes he has found a better deal outside the UFC after signing a multi-fight contract with Misfits Boxing.
The former UFC two-division contender entered free agency after the promotion declined to re-sign him following his unanimous decision victory over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris in September. The win improved Page’s UFC record to 5-1, but his performances were not enough to secure a new contract.
Despite ranking among the top 10 in two divisions, Page has moved on from the UFC and will now join Misfits Boxing as the promotion expands its presence in mixed martial arts.
The 39-year-old recently revealed that Misfits offered him a significant financial upgrade compared to his UFC contract. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Page explained that the deal would allow him to earn more while competing in fewer fights.
“Misfits came with an absolutely crazy deal, which means I’ve continued to grow and get better financially,” Page said.“I’ve left the UFC, and I’m making more money. Two times more, maybe just over, and in a shorter period. In a three-fight deal, I’ll make more than I have in my entire UFC contract.”
Page also discussed his decision to join Misfits during an interview with The Stomping Ground, explaining that the opportunity would give him more freedom to express himself.
“To be fair, this one happened relatively quickly,” Page said. “We kind of didn’t know as recently as three or four days back; it still wasn’t 100 percent confirmed where we’re going. But yeah, this makes sense.
“Like I said out there, I feel free of the shackles. I’m a very creative person — my walkouts, my entrances, my exits — and I wasn’t allowed to do that. And I feel like here, they’re literally like, ‘Look, we want you to be yourself.’ That’s going to help me be my best self.”
Although Page enjoyed a successful run in the UFC, his time with the promotion never quite lived up to expectations. His only loss came against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303 in June 2024, but the promotion ultimately chose not to extend his contract.
Page had repeatedly called for high-profile matchups and expressed frustration over his limited opportunities. He believes the UFC could have done more with his talent, particularly after he established himself as a top-10 fighter in two weight classes.
“For me, it’s a shame,” Page explained. “I just feel like there’s so much more the UFC could be doing for fighters. Regardless, whether you like them, hate them, they are the biggest combat show in terms of MMA. So you have to value them, there’s some ridiculously talented fighters.
“But I went in there, and I was top-10 in two divisions, I was calling out everybody, wasn’t getting any feedback. Again, [I] felt very restricted, so it’s a shame because I felt like there were more fights, big fights that could be had. But here, I feel free. The big fights, the big names that are out there, that are away from other shows, it’s all going to happen.”
With his Misfits deal offering a reported financial boost and greater creative freedom, Page is ready to begin a new chapter in his combat sports career.
