Michael “Venom” Page is heading back to London, but the circumstances surrounding his return have left him scratching his head. The UFC recently confirmed that Page will face fellow Brit Sam Patterson at UFC Fight Night 270, set for March 21 at The O2 Arena. While fighting on home soil is usually a cause for celebration, Page admits he is baffled by the matchmaking logic.
The 38-year-old veteran, who is coming off victories over Shara Magomedov and former title challenger Jared Cannonier, expected a marquee name to propel him toward title contention. Instead, he finds himself matched against Patterson, a rising prospect who, while talented, sits significantly lower on the welterweight ladder. Speaking to MMA Junkie, Page shared his frustration not just with the opponent’s ranking, but with their personal history.
“In regards to the fight, not one that I expected or was even looking for,” Page candidly revealed. “It’s a bit more annoying for me because it’s not just an opponent that feels a bit further down the ladder, he’s also somebody that I’ve worked with before as well in preparation for other fights, so I know him well.”
The familiarity between the two adds a dynamic to the bout, stripping away the animosity that often fuels Page’s most entertaining performances.
“It’s another reason why I didn’t really want to have this fight, but more so because I came here for the big fights. I came here for big names.”
Beyond the opponent, Page feels slighted by his placement on the card. The event is headlined by a featherweight title eliminator between Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy, a booking Page takes no issue with. However, the co-main event slot has been given to Luke Riley vs. Michael Aswell, a decision that Page views as a subtle message from the promotion.
“I definitely don’t feel like I’m in good favor with the UFC at the moment,” Page said. “Who I drew as an opponent now, even down to when I saw the fight card, it’s interesting… I’m being weirdly positioned on the card, and I’ve been given an opponent that is a bit of a weird opponent, as well. It just feels like I’ve upset somebody.”
Page attempted to rationalize the snub, speculating that his lack of highlight-reel knockouts inside the Octagon might be working against him. Despite his reputation in Bellator, his UFC tenure has been defined by technical, decision-based masterclasses rather than the crushing finishes the brass often rewards.
“I think the only thing I could suggest based on the stuff I’ve done… is I haven’t had a finish,” he theorized. “So maybe they’ve looked to purchase somebody that is known for spectacular finishes, and I haven’t quite achieved that yet.”
