Michael 'Venom' Page signs multiyear Misfits Boxing deal after UFC declines to renew contract

Michael ‘Venom’ Page has signed a multiyear, multifight agreement with MF Sports and its Misfits Boxing promotion after the UFC declined to renew his contract, ending a tenure in which he went 5-1 including a unanimous decision win over Nursulton Ruziboev in September.

Page told The Stomping Ground that the deal came together rapidly — with confirmation arriving only days before it was announced — but that the fit felt natural given the creative restrictions he experienced in the UFC.

“To be fair, this one happened relatively quickly,” Page said. “We kind of didn’t know as recently as three or four days back; it still wasn’t 100% confirmed where we’re going. But yeah, this makes sense. 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. 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.”

The 37-year-old Englishman said his frustrations in the UFC extended beyond presentation. Despite ranking inside the top 10 in two divisions, Page felt he was unable to secure the marquee matchups he was pursuing.

“I went in there, and I was Top 10 in two divisions; I was calling out everybody, wasn’t getting any feedback,” he said. “Again, [I] 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.”

Page’s move to Misfits Boxing represents a significant shift for a fighter who built his reputation on flamboyant striking and theatrical ring walks during a decorated Bellator career before joining the UFC. The multifight structure of his new deal suggests he is positioning himself for a sustained run outside the traditional MMA landscape, targeting high-profile opponents who operate beyond the major promotions.