Michael “Venom” Page has expressed frustration with the UFC’s matchmaking process as he seeks an opponent for a potential fight in London. Page, who last competed in August 2023, secured a decision victory against former title challenger Jared Cannonier. He hopes to return to the octagon at UFC London on March 21, 2025, but uncertainties about his next matchup persist.
In a recent appearance on the Shxts N Gigs podcast, Page revealed his concerns about the organization’s ability to secure a suitable opponent. “My likely next fight is going to be… because they’re coming to London, as they always do for March,” he stated. He emphasized his significance in the UK market, saying, “I’m a big name over here, they want me to fight, but they still haven’t got an opponent.”
Page’s situation is complicated by his dual status in two weight divisions. He has been active in both welterweight and middleweight, achieving a 2-0 record in middleweight fights during 2025. His previous foray into welterweight resulted in a 1-1 record in 2024. “I said I want to be at welterweight,” he explained. After taking a last-minute middleweight fight against Shara Magomedov in February, he expressed a desire to return to welterweight but encountered difficulty finding available opponents.
The fighter recounted his experience trying to secure a bout: “Nobody’s available. How can nobody be available? This is what I’m literally getting.” He highlighted a recent instance where a fellow welterweight performed impressively in a match, prompting him to reach out about a potential fight. “They said: ‘Oh, we’ve got plans for him.’ The guy just stepped out of the cage! I’m already out for months, and you don’t have any plans for me, but you have plans for him? That doesn’t make any sense, bro.”
Page’s comments reflect a broader concern among fighters regarding matchmaking transparency in the UFC. “In my head, something’s going on. I don’t know what it is,” he said, adding that he tries not to overthink the situation.
As UFC London approaches, the O2 Arena remains without confirmed bouts. Page, 38, made his UFC debut with a victory over Kevin Holland but faced a setback against Ian Machado Garry. All of Page’s UFC fights have been decided by judges, underscoring his strategic fighting style.
With the event drawing near, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the matchmaking situation resolves for Page, a prominent figure in the sport. His outspoken nature regarding these issues may resonate with others in the UFC, as the promotion navigates the complexities of fighter availability and matchmaking decisions.
