Michael Page signs multi-fight deal with Misfits Boxing after UFC exit

Michael "Venom" Page has signed a multi-fight deal with Misfits Boxing following his departure from the UFC. The signing was announced by KSI in the ring during the Misfits Boxing event at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday, October 10. No debut date or opponent has been revealed.

Page, 39, made a WWE-style entrance into the ring for the announcement before speaking to the crowd.

UFC chose not to re-sign him

Page's UFC run ended after six fights and a 5-1 record. He fought out his contract with a decision win over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris in September, and the UFC elected not to re-sign him. His only loss in the promotion was a decision defeat to Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303 in June 2024. He competed at both welterweight and middleweight during his time in the Octagon.

Before joining the UFC, Page was a longtime Bellator standout. He also has experience outside MMA: at BKFC 27 in August 2022, he lost a majority decision to Mike Perry in a bare-knuckle main event that went to an extra round.

"I feel free of the shackles"

Speaking to The Stomping Ground, as quoted by MMA Fighting on October 12, Page said the deal came together quickly.

"To be fair, this one happened relatively quickly," Page said. "We kind of didn't know as recent as three or four days back, it still wasn't 100 percent confirmed where we're going. But yeah, this makes sense."

He said the creative freedom offered by Misfits was a key factor. "Like I said out there, I feel free of the shackles. I'm a very creative person — my walkouts, my entrances, my exits — and I wasn't allowed to do that," Page said. "And I feel like here, they're literally like, 'Look, we want you to be yourself.' That's going to help me be my best self."

Frustration with the UFC

Page said he was disappointed by how his UFC tenure played out, despite the results.

"For me, it's a shame," he said. "I just feel like there's so much more the UFC could be doing for fighters. Regardless, whether you like them, hate them, they are the biggest combat show in terms of MMA."

"I went in there, and I was top-10 in two divisions, I was calling out everybody, wasn't getting any feedback," he added. "Felt very restricted, so it's a shame because I felt like there was more fights, big fights that could be had. But here, I feel free. The big fights, the big names that are out there, that are away from other shows, it's all going to happen."

What's next

Misfits Boxing, co-founded by KSI, is known for crossover and influencer-led events. Page has not named a target opponent, and the promotion has not confirmed when he will make his debut.