Fans boo as MVP secures underwhelming win in UFC contract farewell
Michael 'Venom' Page won by unanimous decision against Nursulton Ruziboev in Paris in what was his final fight on his current UFC contract, drawing boos from the crowd. Elsewhere on the card, Salahdine Parnasse and Kurtis Campbell picked up wins while Nathaniel Wood suffered a defeat.
London fighter Michael 'Venom' Page closed out his current UFC contract with a unanimous decision win over Uzbekistan's Nursulton Ruziboev in Paris on Saturday, though the result was met with jeers from the crowd rather than celebration.
The 39-year-old, nicknamed MVP, received a loud ovation from the French audience as he entered the octagon, but the contest itself failed to live up to expectations. Ruziboev controlled much of the opening round on the ground, before Page began to find success midway through the fight, landing a kick that wobbled his opponent's knee alongside some flashy feints and showboating. Explosive moments remained rare, however, with Page landing just 12 significant strikes compared to Ruziboev's eight.
The win means all five of Page's UFC victories since signing in 2024 have come via judges' decision, despite him arriving in the promotion with a reputation as a highlight-reel finisher boasting 13 career knockouts. Page admitted before the fight that he had underperformed since joining the UFC, describing the Ruziboev bout as important for re-establishing himself within the organisation.
Page is now a free agent, and should he not re-sign with the UFC, he could look at options including the PFL or a move into boxing.
Other results
In the main event, French-Moroccan debutant Salahdine Parnasse produced a first-round TKO victory over New Zealand's Dan Hooker, landing a heavy body kick before dropping him with a left hook in front of a home crowd.
British fighter Kurtis Campbell submitted American Trevor Peek via rear-naked choke in the third round of their featherweight bout, improving his professional record to nine wins and one loss. London's Nathaniel Wood, meanwhile, lost by unanimous decision to Moldova's Pavel Andrusca, ending his four-fight winning streak.
The UFC also confirmed that Brazil's Natalia Silva will face China's Wang Cong for the vacant flyweight title at UFC 322 on 3 October in Salt Lake City, after former champion Valentina Shevchenko vacated the belt due to an injury expected to keep her out for over a year.
