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Michael Page's long-term UFC future is in limbo as he now has just one fight remaining on his contract.
Page (25-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) has been the center of much criticism after UFC Fight Night 270 this past Saturday in London where he defeated Sam Patterson (14-3-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) by unanimous decision in an underwhelming affair.
Although he was disgruntled about the matchup before the event, Page said he expected more out of his performance and blames no one who offered harsh feedback. The repercussions may be significant, however, as Page is not 100 percent certain the UFC brass want to extend the relationship for several more fights.
Page wants to stick around, though, and while UFC typically likes to re-sign fighters before the end of their deals, "Venom" is preparing himself to have to prove something in the final fight of his current contract.
"I think I've got one more. I've got one more. It was a six-fight deal," Page told Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show" on Monday. "We haven't had any talks, nothing has been presented. I don't know when I'm going to go speak to them or if I just wait for them to speak to me. I was hoping this fight was that big fight that showcases what I know I can do. I took a bit of a back step now, so maybe I have to wait until the next fight. Maybe that's what they're waiting for. They're waiting to see what they bought into.
"The next fight, give me somebody that wants to come kill me. I want somebody that wants to take my head off and we can have a proper fight, and I can showcase my skills. I don't care where. Just give me a big name and let me put someone to bed in MVP fashion, and we can move forward with progression to the belt."
One of the main narratives prior to UFC Fight Night 270 was MVP speaking out. From his dislike of the Patterson booking to Zuffa Boxing's controversial signing of Conor Benn at a $15 million price tag, Page was more vocal than most about his feelings.
Additionally, Page walked out to Michael Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us" for his fight against Patterson, raising further questions about the degree of tension in his relationship with UFC.
Page, 38, said he's not a malcontent, though. He craves more opportunity to show his best work on the UFC platform, and despite some imperfections with the situation, said his main career goals can only be met in this organization.
"I think all fighters are going to have moments in their careers where they feel unappreciated or feel like things are not necessarily going in the way that they want," Page said. "But ultimately, it is a massive privilege and an honor to be fighting on one of the greatest combat shows in the world to ever exist. I'm thankful to be given a shot. People say it's late in my career and this and that. Regardless, I'm thankful to be here today, to be given the promotion that they gift fighters that do well and succeed on their stage. I'm just thankful for that. I'll never shy away from saying what I feel if I'm irritated. It will always be thought out, as well. But if I genuinely believe it, I'll say it.
"I'm super hyped that I'm part of the UFC. … But I also want to get something back from it. The goal is the UFC. As soon as we have the next conversation about where I'm going to go, how many fights is that going to be: Sign me up. I want to get a belt. I'm happy to be here. I'm excited to be here. I'm just upset with myself that I haven't delivered what I know I can deliver, but I am dying to show that to UFC and the world."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Page reveals one fight left on UFC contract. Will he re-sign?
Continue reading...
Page (25-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) has been the center of much criticism after UFC Fight Night 270 this past Saturday in London where he defeated Sam Patterson (14-3-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) by unanimous decision in an underwhelming affair.
Although he was disgruntled about the matchup before the event, Page said he expected more out of his performance and blames no one who offered harsh feedback. The repercussions may be significant, however, as Page is not 100 percent certain the UFC brass want to extend the relationship for several more fights.
Page wants to stick around, though, and while UFC typically likes to re-sign fighters before the end of their deals, "Venom" is preparing himself to have to prove something in the final fight of his current contract.
"I think I've got one more. I've got one more. It was a six-fight deal," Page told Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show" on Monday. "We haven't had any talks, nothing has been presented. I don't know when I'm going to go speak to them or if I just wait for them to speak to me. I was hoping this fight was that big fight that showcases what I know I can do. I took a bit of a back step now, so maybe I have to wait until the next fight. Maybe that's what they're waiting for. They're waiting to see what they bought into.
"The next fight, give me somebody that wants to come kill me. I want somebody that wants to take my head off and we can have a proper fight, and I can showcase my skills. I don't care where. Just give me a big name and let me put someone to bed in MVP fashion, and we can move forward with progression to the belt."
One of the main narratives prior to UFC Fight Night 270 was MVP speaking out. From his dislike of the Patterson booking to Zuffa Boxing's controversial signing of Conor Benn at a $15 million price tag, Page was more vocal than most about his feelings.
Additionally, Page walked out to Michael Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us" for his fight against Patterson, raising further questions about the degree of tension in his relationship with UFC.
Page, 38, said he's not a malcontent, though. He craves more opportunity to show his best work on the UFC platform, and despite some imperfections with the situation, said his main career goals can only be met in this organization.
"I think all fighters are going to have moments in their careers where they feel unappreciated or feel like things are not necessarily going in the way that they want," Page said. "But ultimately, it is a massive privilege and an honor to be fighting on one of the greatest combat shows in the world to ever exist. I'm thankful to be given a shot. People say it's late in my career and this and that. Regardless, I'm thankful to be here today, to be given the promotion that they gift fighters that do well and succeed on their stage. I'm just thankful for that. I'll never shy away from saying what I feel if I'm irritated. It will always be thought out, as well. But if I genuinely believe it, I'll say it.
"I'm super hyped that I'm part of the UFC. … But I also want to get something back from it. The goal is the UFC. As soon as we have the next conversation about where I'm going to go, how many fights is that going to be: Sign me up. I want to get a belt. I'm happy to be here. I'm excited to be here. I'm just upset with myself that I haven't delivered what I know I can deliver, but I am dying to show that to UFC and the world."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Page reveals one fight left on UFC contract. Will he re-sign?
Continue reading...
