Michael 'Venom' Page Voices Disappointment Over UFC London Card Positioning
Michael 'Venom' Page has openly criticised his placement on the UFC London card, labelling it as 'disrespectful and strange' ahead of his highly anticipated welterweight clash with Sam Patterson at the O2 Arena this Saturday. The 38-year-old MMA veteran, making his first UFC appearance on home soil since joining the promotion in 2024, expressed his initial confusion and frustration during the UFC London media day on Thursday.
Strategic Reasoning Behind Card Placement
Page, known for his flashy striking and charismatic persona, revealed that a friend suggested a strategic explanation for his lower billing. 'The Paramount system is different,' he explained, referring to UFC's broadcasting platform. 'It's more about eyeballs and keeping viewership. They might place people in different orders to maintain interest, especially on a new platform.' This insight, whether accurate or not, provided some context for Page, who acknowledged that UFC's approach may have evolved.
Despite the disappointment, Page remains confident in his star power, stating, 'I used to say the same thing at Bellator—no matter where you put me on the card, I am the main event.' His bout against Patterson, a domestic showdown, is expected to draw significant attention from British fans, many of whom were surprised to see Page not headlining or in the co-main event slot.
Support from Fellow Fighters and Focus on the Fight
Luke Riley, who is scheduled for the co-main event, sympathised with Page's situation. 'Being real, he probably has been hard done by. He probably should be the co-main,' Riley said. He praised Page as a 'proper dude' and noted UFC's efforts to build new stars like himself, but acknowledged Page's justified frustration.
Page, however, is not letting the card placement distract him from his upcoming challenge. He and Patterson have sparred together in the past, but Page downplays any advantage this might provide. 'Yes, I'm familiar with his styles, but he wasn't necessarily being his best self in sparring. I have to go by who turns up on Saturday night,' he emphasised, highlighting his focus on the immediate task at hand.
The UFC London event will be headlined by a featherweight bout between Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy, with Page's welterweight contest positioned lower on the card. As Page returns to his natural weight class after consecutive middleweight fights, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can make a statement in what he considers a disrespectful placement.
