Michael “Venom” Page has no interest in taking the traditional route through the UFC welterweight division.
The 39-year-old British standout has moved between welterweight and middleweight since joining the UFC in 2024. He will return to the 185-pound division this weekend when he faces Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris.
Page scored two victories at middleweight last year before dropping back down to welterweight for UFC London in March, where he earned a decision win over fellow London native Sam Patterson.
Despite the victory, Page has made it clear that he is not interested in patiently waiting for his opportunity at 170 pounds.
During an interview with UFC PR this week, Page explained that he believes too many welterweights are waiting for their turn rather than actively pursuing fights.
“There's too many people wasting time at welterweight at the moment, too many people with entitlement issues of they believe that they should be the next in line and so they're going to wait and this and that,” Page said.
“I don't have the patience for that. I just enjoy my art and I want to keep doing it. So obviously everyone's goal is the belt, but there's no need to be this tactical about it. There's like seven people being tactical about it. It's annoying. So I just said, I'll go the tougher route and just move up a weight.”
Page Has No Plans to Slow Down
Despite being 39 years old, Page also insists he feels as fresh as ever and has no intention of considering retirement anytime soon.
The former Bellator standout said his mindset allows him to continue competing alongside younger fighters and pushing himself in the gym.
“I still feel young and I feel like (I'm) just having that mentality of remaining young in your mind,” Page said.
“Seriously, sometimes I'm in the gym and I look around and I (think) ‘oh, I forgot I'm the oldest one in here,’ and it feels like it happened overnight. But I keep up with everybody, keep pushing myself hard and this is why I can keep delivering the same thing to be honest.”
