Michael “Venom” Page is set to make a highly anticipated return to the welterweight division this weekend at UFC London. Following a successful run at middleweight, Page will step into the octagon against his former training partner and fellow British fighter, Sam Patterson. This intriguing welterweight clash is featured on the main card, preceding the featherweight co-main event between Luke Riley and Michael Aswell, and the headliner, which pits undefeated contenders Movsar Evloev against Lerone Murphy.
Page had previously voiced his dissatisfaction regarding being matched with an unranked opponent for his UFC London debut. During media day, when questioned about potentially being disappointed over not co-headlining the event, “Venom” reiterated his firm belief: “Again, it was part of the frustrations initially, but I used to say the same thing when I was at Bellator: no matter where you put me on the card, I am the main event.”
When asked if a dominant victory at UFC London would secure him a fight against a ranked, credible opponent next, Page, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of UFC matchmaking, expressed uncertainty. “To be fair, I’m not sure. You never know. Things just change like the tides at sea,” he stated. Despite this, his focus remains on delivering spectacular performances: “But I’m always striving for a big KO. I’m always striving to entertain. I’m always striving to put highlight videos out to showcase how talented I am.” He further added that his unique style naturally leads to memorable moments in the octagon, without him needing to actively chase highlight-reel finishes.
Looking ahead to his future in the UFC, “Venom” revealed his versatility, even suggesting a potential move to light heavyweight. However, his immediate focus is firmly on the welterweight title. He shared his frustration, stating, “I seem to be capable of just going anywhere. So as long as people can get me some good fights, I kind of want to go there. It seems to be a struggle at welterweight, but my goal is the welterweight title. If the guys here continue to not want to fight me, then I might have to go up back up again and look at the middleweight belt.”
