Daniel Cormier gets why Michael Page isn’t thrilled with the choice of his opponent for UFC London.
Following his unanimous decision win over Jared Cannonier, many expected Page to receive a top-ranked opponent in his next outing. Page had already fought the likes of Ian Machado Garry in the welterweight division, so it was natural to assume he’d get a bigger fight. Instead, he draws the unranked Sam Patterson.
Page told MMAJunkie that he feels the matchmaking might be some form of punishment. Cormier uploaded a new video on his YouTube channel where he empathized with “Venom” (via MMAJunkie).
“No disrespect to Sam Patterson, he has looked really, really good,” Cormier said. “He has been really, really tough, and he’s a kid that has potential, right? But honestly, he’s not a guy that you would expect Michael ‘Venom’ Page to be fighting, right?
“So, Page seemed disappointed in having to fight a kid he knows, but I feel, and I really can’t speak for the man, the disappointment comes from fighting Ian Garry, Shara ‘Bullet,’ Kevin Holland, Jared Cannonier, Sam Patterson,” Cormier said. “That is where the disappointment comes if it was me, because I would have thought that after fighting a guy that just fought for the world championship, I would get to fight someone else.”
The UFC Hall of Famer added that he knows Page was anticipating an opponent ranked ahead of him instead of what he’ll be getting on March 21.
“You look at the people MVP has fought, and you expect a step up, especially with where he’s been and where he expects to go going forward,” Cormier said.
If Page is able to get past Patterson, it’ll be interesting to see what UFC matchmakers would have planned for him.
Who would you have booked Michael Page to face on the UFC London card? Tell us in the comment section below.