Two-and-a-half years into his UFC profession, Michael ‘Venom’ Web page is all the way down to the final battle of his authentic six-fight deal. The 39-year-old has gained 4 of 5, fought at two weight courses and is now again at middleweight, the place he says he sees his path to a UFC title.For all of the modifications, Web page feels his UFC run has not constructed the momentum he anticipated. The loss to Ian Machado Garry at welterweight was adopted by wins over Shara Magomedov and former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier, however his return to 170 kilos for Sam Patterson didn’t result in the run of fights he had hoped for.“I really feel like I had momentum, and it slowed down,” Web page instructed TimesofIndia.com forward of his middleweight battle towards Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Struggle Evening in Paris. “So this battle is to restart that momentum once more, and construct in the direction of the highest.”
Web page seems to be to restart his momentum at 185
Web page’s transfer between the divisions has been tied to that seek for momentum. After his wins at middleweight, he needed to return to welterweight as a result of he noticed fights there that him. However, he stated, getting opponents to comply with these fights turned tough.“I needed to return to welterweight, simply because I really feel like there’s some actually thrilling fights at welterweight,” Web page stated. “However the guys at welterweight do not prefer to battle recurrently sufficient for me, and I wasn’t getting sufficient individuals saying sure to desirous to battle me, so it made extra sense to go to middleweight, as a result of I really feel like I am going to have common fights.”That introduced him again to 185 kilos, the place Web page now says the title route is obvious.“Properly, I’ve solidified myself now at middleweight, so it is gonna be middleweight,” he stated when requested which division he sees himself preventing for a UFC title in.The transfer up has additionally suited him bodily. Web page stated he feels stronger at middleweight with out shedding the pace that has been one of many defining components of his recreation.“They gave me extra meals,” Web page stated with a chuckle. “To eat extra, and really feel quite a bit stronger. So yeah, I positively really feel stronger. I equally nonetheless really feel as quick, however I really feel quite a bit quicker than the fellows at middleweight, simply because I am used to exploding and maintaining with welterweights. So the middleweights, I really feel my pace is even higher there.”
Ruziboev brings a special take a look at for Web page
The subsequent step is Ruziboev, who’s ranked No. 15 at middleweight and comes into Paris on a three-fight UFC successful streak. The Uzbek is 5-0 within the division, along with his solely UFC defeat coming in his lone look at welterweight.His most up-to-date win was one other reminder of the hazard he carries on the bottom. Ruziboev submitted Andrey Pulyaev within the first spherical in June, taking his profession complete to 21 submission wins, based on his UFC file.Web page shouldn’t be anticipating to have the ability to change off that a part of the battle.“Yeah, I believe he is an extended, rangy fighter. And as you say, he is bought excellent submissions, in order that’s positively his harmful space,” Web page stated. “So yeah, it is ensuring I do not get caught up in something the place he can use that benefit towards me. If we’re on the bottom, it is as a result of I’ve gone for the takedown, or I’ve taken him down, and never the opposite means round. Cannot let him take my again, you already know, I’ve to simply be vigilant within the grappling space, after which do precisely what I do nicely within the hanging space.”Ruziboev’s run at middleweight has been one of many extra constant components of his UFC profession. After his temporary transfer to welterweight, he returned to 185 kilos and has gained three straight, together with the Pulyaev submission.
One battle left, and a title route in thoughts
For Web page, although, the opponent is simply a part of what makes Saturday essential. It’s his final battle on the present UFC contract, and he has been open about wanting a brand new deal – offered it provides him a clearer route in the direction of the larger fights and, ultimately, the title.He has beforehand described the problem of getting a Prime-10 opponent as irritating, saying he had been searching for larger names over his earlier three fights. However Web page doesn’t need the contract state of affairs to bleed into battle evening.“Yeah, like I stated, simply having interviews and talking about it’s simply what it’s. I do not… after the interview’s completed, I do not give it some thought,” he stated. “The one thought is Saturday, ensuring my battle’s good, and ensuring I really feel one of the best, and I am going on the market and simply placed on a efficiency.”That efficiency might additionally reply a query that has adopted the Bellator standout by his UFC run. He arrived within the promotion identified for spectacular finishes, however all 5 of his UFC fights up to now have gone to the judges. His final three – towards Cannonier, Patterson and Ruziboev – have come after the transfer into the middleweight image.At 39, Web page is aware of the window shouldn’t be getting wider. What he desires now’s a run that strikes rapidly sufficient to matter. For the following six months, at the least, there shall be loads occurring exterior the cage too. Web page stated he has performing work and auditions alongside his coaching.“It seems to be… it seems to be very, very busy, as a result of I am not solely gonna be preventing, however I am performing some performing stuff as nicely, so it is gonna be very, very busy, nevertheless it nonetheless seems to be like numerous coaching, and… and now numerous auditions.”(Watch UFC Struggle Evening – Hooker vs Parnasse on September 06, 2026, from 12:30 AM IST dwell on Sony Sports activities Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports activities Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports activities Ten 4 SD (Tamil,Telugu, Kannada) & Sony LIV.)