Free-agent Brunson calls out Michael Page after UFC Paris contract expires

Derek Brunson has called out Michael Page for a free-agent clash after “Venom” fought out the final bout of his UFC contract against Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris, with the promotion widely reported to be moving on from the British knockout artist.

Page secured a decision win over Ruziboev, but his low output continued a pattern of underwhelming performances that has defined his UFC tenure. Renowned for his striking finishes during his Bellator career, Page has struggled to replicate that form inside the octagon. He was denied a post-fight interview following the bout and is reportedly set to be removed from the UFC middleweight rankings, with a re-signing looking increasingly unlikely.

Brunson seized on the situation almost immediately, calling for a matchup between “2 free agents” — a phrase that also confirmed his own departure from the Professional Fighters League. The 40-year-old veteran left the UFC in 2023 on a two-fight losing skid, with a scheduled bout against Roman Dolidze also cancelled before he made his exit. He signed with the PFL and fought just once under that banner, earning a decision victory over Ray Cooper III in November 2023, before parting ways with the organisation.

Both men now find themselves outside the major promotions and looking for their next move. For Page, the UFC stint represents a significant step back from the highlight-reel reputation he built in Bellator, where his unorthodox striking and finishing ability made him one of the most-watched fighters outside the UFC. His transition to the world’s premier MMA organisation never produced the fireworks many anticipated.

For Brunson, a fight with Page would offer a high-profile return to relevance. A former top-five middleweight contender who shared the cage with the likes of Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Anderson Silva during his UFC run, Brunson still carries name value on the free-agent market.

Whether Page accepts the callout or pursues other options remains to be seen, but with both fighters now unattached, the matchup is at least a realistic possibility.