Michael Page has competed inside the Octagon for the final time.
In the final fight of his UFC contract, Page defeated Nursulton Ruziboev last weekend in Paris in yet another boo birds. Despite promises of increased aggression, “MVP” landed just a dozen significant strikes in 15 full minutes of combat. One of those shots was a low kick that tore apart Ruziboev’s knee at roughly the six minute mark … and Page still didn’t increase his aggression.
As such, few were surprised when Page was suddenly ineligible
for a UFC ranking. However, Page’s free agency wasn’t official until UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that the promotion would not be signing him while talking with media in the aftermath of Tuesday’s Contender Series episode.
“That was his last fight on his contract,” White explained. “I don’t think we’re re-signing him, no. What’s the confusion? I think it’s been pretty clear that he wasn’t being re-signed, and that he would be taken out of the rankings because he’s no longer on the roster.”
Paging Scott Coker?
Page’s release is at least mildly controversial. On one hand, his recent fights have been fairly dreadful to watch, as Page has failed to push his advantage in punishingly low output performances. At the same time, Page did establish himself as a Top 15 (at least!) fighter in two different divisions while winning five of six of his Octagon bouts. UFC opting not to re-sign Page is a reminder that the promotion is focused more on entertainment than pure sport.
