LAS VEGAS – If the writing wasn't already on the wall, it now might be etched in stone: Michael Page and the UFC are done.
Page (26-3) was removed from UFC rankings eligibility Monday following the conclusion of his contract, which he finished Saturday with a unanimous decision win over Nursulton Ruziboev in Paris.
Even prior to that development, given his lack of finishes, age, and outspokenness about UFC business practices, many fans speculated that Page's relationship with the UFC would likely come to an end. On Tuesday, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the suspicions were accurate.
"That was the last fight on his contract," White said. "I don't think we're re-signing him, no. What's the confusion? I think it's been pretty clear he wasn't being
re-signed and that he would be taken out of the rankings because he's no longer on the roster."
Page, 39, rose to notoriety for his flashy finishes and wild taunts on the regional scene before he became an international name through his 19 fights for Bellator. Page went 17-2 in the promotion from 2013 to 2023 and signed with the UFC just prior to Bellator's absorption by PFL.
In the UFC, Page went 5-1 with wins over Kevin Holland, Shara Magomedov, Jared Cannonier, Sam Patterson, and Nursulton Ruziboev. His lone promotional loss was a unanimous decision against Ian Machado Garry. All six bouts went the distance.
Page has repeatedly said throughout his career that he's working to make his fighting style more exciting, even expressing those sentiments following Saturday's bout. It's unclear where he'll next attempt to make that a reality. With Scott Coker's new promotion on the verge of launch, Jake Paul and MVP getting involved with PFL, and Page's past history of doing a one-off for BKFC, there may be some options.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dana White indicates UFC done with Michael Page: 'It's pretty obvious'
