Page On UFC's Low-Ball Offer After 5-1 Run

Michael Page is a free agent after UFC elected not to renew his contract following a 5-1 run in the promotion, and the welterweight says he anticipated a reduced offer but not the manner of his departure.

Page told Yahoo Sports he assumed the company would present a lower-paying deal after his decision win over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris last month. Instead, UFC president Dana White publicly announced the promotion had no interest in re-signing him. "What I felt would happen was they'd be like, 'Look, we can re-sign but it will be a lot less [money],' and we work from there," Page said, per Yahoo Sports. "But I wouldn't have expected it to be dealt with in the way that it was dealt with. I found that quite disrespectful, to be fair."

Page Denied Cage Interview Twice

Part of Page's frustration stems from being refused an in-cage interview after the Ruziboev bout, the second time such a snub occurred during his UFC tenure. He questioned why the company would deny him a microphone, especially if they already planned to cut him. Page acknowledged his recent fights had not been the most entertaining but said he would have welcomed direct feedback from UFC brass about his performance style. "If you're not happy with the performances, have a conversation with me," he said. "At least it gives me a goal and something to work toward, and I know exactly where I stand with the partnership."

The striker admitted he has not pushed himself enough inside the cage despite winning five of six bouts. "It's weird to say, because I'm winning fights and I'm not at my best," he told Yahoo Sports. "It's just a shame that I haven't been able to really showcase my best, and yet I'm still beating fighters that are at the top of their game."

Page said offers have flooded in from multiple promotions since his release, including Jake Paul's PFL operation. He plans to weigh all options before committing to his next move.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Michael Page expected low-ball offer from UFC after going 5-1