MICHAEL PAGE REMOVED FROM UFC RANKINGS AFTER PARIS WIN

Michael 'Venom' Page has been removed from UFC rankings eligibility following his unanimous decision victory over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris on Saturday. The fight took place at the Accor Arena and was the final bout of Page's existing UFC contract. A leaked internal email shared by MMA journalist John Morgan revealed that the UFC had notified ranking panelists of Page's removal effective immediately. The UFC has not officially confirmed whether Page has been released from the promotion.

Page defeated Ruziboev on the main card of UFC Paris, though spectators booed the middleweight contest. The 39-year-old, who made his UFC promotional debut in 2024 against Kevin Holland, had been ranked No. 8 at middleweight prior to his removal from rankings eligibility. In his post-fight press conference, Page acknowledged uncertainty about his future with the promotion, stating: "They weren't happy with me before, they're not gonna be happy with me now." He expressed a desire to perform at a higher level, saying the fans and the UFC deserved more from him.

The timing of the removal, occurring days after Page's victory, suggests a potential parting of ways between fighter and promotion. Page admitted after the fight that he had not pushed himself to his physical limit, and that the result reflected this conservative approach. The former Bellator fighter indicated he remained open to further discussions with the UFC and expressed confidence he could demonstrate greater capability if given another opportunity.