Michael “Venom” Page says his current spot with the UFC feels uncertain, comparing the process to “dating someone but have no idea how they feel about you” as he waits for direction on both opponents and division. He entered the promotion after a long Bellator run, has already moved between welterweight and middleweight, and now says the lack of a clear plan has left him in an awkward holding pattern.
Michael “Venom” Page is one of the most recognizable names to make the jump from Bellator to the UFC in recent years, signing with the promotion in December 2023 after a 19-fight stint with Bellator. His arrival carried interest because he had long been viewed as a standout attraction outside the UFC, and his debut was booked against Kevin Holland at UFC 299, a matchup that immediately placed him in a visible spot at welterweight.
Michael “Venom” Page says lack of UFC clarity has left him in limbo
Since then, Page’s UFC path has not followed a straight line. He has been bouncing between 170 and 185 pounds, with the shift driven in part by opponent availability rather than a fixed long-term choice from either side. That uncertainty sits at the center of his frustration, especially because he has publicly said he still sees welterweight as the main goal even while taking opportunities at middleweight when they appear.
Speaking with Thunderpick, Page said:
“We are not even in discussions about who I am fighting yet, let alone anything else. It would be nice to have clearer communication on what they’re thinking. It feels like you’re dating someone, but have no idea how they feel about you. It’s just an awkward place to be in. I don’t know if I’ve done something disrespectful before, or if they’re just not happy with me, or if I’m over-reading things. Maybe there’s nothing wrong. Maybe they’re just dealing with 600-plus fighters, and they haven’t quite got to me in terms of sitting down with a proper plan.”
Ahead of earlier UFC fights, he said the target remained the belt at 170, while leaving the door open to return to 185 for the right matchup. In separate comments, he described welterweight as a division in flux and suggested that the shifting results near the top made it a good time to chase position, even if the actual booking process was moving slowly.
Page wants movement, but the UFC’s plans have seemed difficult for him to read. He has been asking for welterweight fights and being told no one was available, then accepting middleweight bouts instead, only to circle back and find the same lack of clarity. He added that he believed certain fighters already had plans in place while he was still waiting for a proper roadmap, which added to the sense that he was outside the conversation despite being a known name and a marketable fighter in London.
He remains a notable figure because of what he built in Bellator and because of the style that made him stand out there, yet his next move appears to depend less on a settled divisional push and more on when the promotion decides where he fits.