Michael 'Venom' Page Questions UFC London Opponent Selection
British mixed martial arts star Michael "Venom" Page has voiced his bewilderment and dissatisfaction with his upcoming fight at UFC London, where he will face unranked welterweight Sam Patterson. The match-up, scheduled for 21 March at the O2 Arena, has left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads, given Page's recent success in the middleweight division.
A Surprising Match-Up That Defies Expectations
Since transitioning from Bellator to the UFC in 2024, Page has compiled a respectable 3-1 record. After an initial 1-1 stint at welterweight, he moved up to middleweight and secured two impressive victories, positioning himself for potential title contention. At 38 years old, Page has long maintained that his ultimate goal is a championship run at 170lb, making his pairing with Patterson all the more perplexing.
"It's not one that I expected or was even looking for," Page revealed in an interview with MMA Junkie. "It's a bit more annoying for me, because it's not just an opponent that feels a bit further down the ladder, he's also somebody that I've worked with before in preparation for other fights."
Page emphasised his desire for high-profile bouts, stating, "I came here for the big fights. I came here for big names." Despite his frustration, he acknowledged respect for Patterson, noting the 29-year-old's recent form: four consecutive stoppage wins since a knockout loss in his 2023 UFC debut.
Speculation and Discontent with UFC Positioning
Page did not mince words when discussing his standing with the UFC, admitting, "I definitely don't feel like I'm in good favour with the UFC at the moment." He pointed to the overall fight card for UFC London as evidence of his peculiar positioning. While compatriot Lerone Murphy headlines in a potential featherweight-title eliminator against Movsar Evloev, the co-main event features Luke Riley versus Michael Aswell Jr., fighters with limited UFC experience.
"I would have felt like, with a name like myself being on that card, I'm definitely going to be positioned as... I'm being positioned on the card in a weird way, and I've been given an opponent which is a bit of a weird opponent as well," Page remarked. He speculated that his lack of finishes in the UFC might be a factor, suggesting the organisation may prefer fighters known for spectacular stoppages.
Ongoing Frustration with UFC Matchmaking
Page's discontent is not new; he recently criticised UFC matchmaking as "not making any sense." In December, he recounted an instance where he proposed a fight with a welterweight who had just won spectacularly, only to be told the UFC had "plans" for that fighter. "I'm already out for months, and you don't have any plans for me, but you have plans for him? That doesn't make any sense, bro. In my head, something's going on," Page expressed.
His last outing was a points victory over former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier in August, while Patterson most recently defeated Trey Waters via TKO in September. Despite the odd match-up, Page remains focused, but the situation has left him questioning whether he has "upset somebody" within the UFC hierarchy.
