Michael “Venom” Web page has described UFC matchmaking as “working blind,” claiming an absence of communication and shifting priorities have left him not sure of the way to proceed towards a title shot forward of UFC London.
Michen Venom Web page dissatisfied with UFC matchmaking
Web page joined the UFC in 2024 after an extended stint with Bellator, and has gone 3-1 at welterweight and middleweight since signing, together with a win over former title challenger Jared Cannonier in August 2025. Regardless of his meteoric rise and profile within the UK market, he has struggled to safe the ranked matches he had hoped for when he signed, which he now calls essentially the most irritating a part of the transfer.
Forward of his return at UFC London, Web page stated the core drawback is that he not understands what the promotion needs from him and the opposite contestants. He contrasted the present state of affairs to his early days within the UFC, the place climbing the rankings offered a transparent path to large fights and title wins.
“It’s extremely troublesome to say. I do not understand how they make choices. I really feel like there’s not been clear communication to say, ‘That is what we wish.'” Even rankings do not imply a lot. Beforehand, there was an concept that at the very least for those who reached that rating one thing would possibly occur. It appears to be taking place sporadically now. With out clear path from the UFC, it is laborious for anybody to guess till there’s readability that claims, ‘That is what is going on to maneuver you ahead.’ ”
Comparability of UFC and Bellator
Web page has repeatedly pointed to matchmaking as the principle distinction between his earlier house and the UFC. He says he can anticipate a extra constant timeline at Bellator, with extra readability on when he’ll battle subsequent and the way sure matchups match into his path via the division.
Since becoming a member of the UFC roster, he has confronted lengthy wait occasions between fights and uncertainty in each opponent and weight class, with choices at welterweight, the place he was 1-1 within the promotion, and middleweight, the place he was 2-0 in 2025. He pressured that his criticism targeted on the reserving course of, not the group’s platform or his remedy outdoors of matchmaking.
UFC London: Opponents and Card Background
Web page has now turned that frustration into motivation for UFC London, the place he’s scheduled to face fellow Briton Sam Patterson in a welterweight bout on the O2 Area on March 21, 2026. The occasion shall be headlined by undefeated featherweights Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy, with Web page-Patterson becoming a member of a fundamental card filled with British expertise together with Luke Riley vs. Michael Aswell and Roman Dolisez vs. Christian Leroy. Duncan.
Regardless of gaining consideration at house, Web page has questioned whether or not the matchmaking is reflective of his place within the division, suggesting that his type and former feedback could have difficult his relationship with UFC matchmakers. For now, he says he plans to maintain profitable and preserve talking out, hoping a promotion will finally present the path he feels is lacking from the present system, which he likens to preventing for alternatives in the dead of night.
