White confirms MVP exit after UFC contract expires
British fighter Michael ‘Venom’ Page is leaving the UFC, its president Dana White has confirmed.
The 39-year-old, who is nicknamed MVP, joined MMA’s top promotion in December 2023 on a six-fight contract.
He concluded that deal with an underwhelming win over Nursulton Ruziboev on Saturday amid booing from the crowd in Paris.
Page has a 5-1 record with UFC, fighting at welterweight and middleweight, but all five of those wins have come via decision and he has admitted to not delivering “what I wanted to deliver”.
Although the Londoner was keen to discuss his future with the UFC, he was removed from their rankings after Saturday’s fight.
White has now added: “That was his last fight on his contract. I don’t think we’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.”
With the former Bellator fighter now a free agent, he could join the PFL or turn to boxing.
Heavyweights to ‘keep rolling’ in Aspinall’s absence
White has also said the UFC will not wait for heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to return to action.
The British fighter is still recovering from eye injuries sustained in his fight against Cyril Gane almost a year ago.
The 33-year-old’s return date is unknown but he has been cleared to return to training and says he has no plans to leave the UFC or retire.
“I mean, Tom Aspinall is hurt until we hear differently so the heavyweight division will just keep rolling,” said White.
Gane claimed the interim heavyweight title with a second-round stoppage of Alex Pereira in June and the Brazilian has said he wants a rematch with the 36-year-old Frenchman.
If Aspinall remains out for the rest of 2026, White hinted Gane could take another bout in his absence.
By BBC
