Michael 'Venom' Page hits out at 'disrespectful and strange' UFC London decision ahead of Sam Patterson showdown
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Published 19/03/2026 at 16:37 GMT
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Micheal 'Venom' Page is back in UFC action at the O2 Arena as UFC Fight Night hits London. The 38-year-old veteran makes his return to welterweight having competed at middleweight in his previous two fights as he goes toe-to-toe with fellow Brit and former sparring partner Sam Patterson, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
'Where I want to be' - MVP gunning for welterweight glory ahead of UFC London bout
Video credit: TNT Sports
Michael ‘Venom’ Page has aired his frustrations at not getting a main-event slot for his UFC London welterweight showdown with Sam Patterson, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The 38-year-old, who signed with the UFC in 2024, having previously competed in Bellator, admitted he has found some of the decision-making within the organisation "confusing".
That includes the call not to put his fight at the O2 Arena this Saturday at the top of the card.
Lerone Murphy takes on Movsar Evleov in the main event, with Luke Riley facing Michael Aswell Jr in the co-main slot.
”It's obviously part of the frustrations,” Page said in his pre-fight press briefing. ”But I used to say the same thing when I was at Bellator, and it's no matter where you put me on the card, I am the main event.
”It was confusing. Initially, I just found it very, very strange, disrespectful and strange.”
Page faces Patterson at welterweight, having moved up to middleweight for his last two fights, victories over Sharabutdin Magomedov and Jared Cannonier, respectively.
Ranked 13th in the division, Page has said welterweight is "where we wants to be" but admits if his path to title success is impeded, he would consider moving again.
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- MVP eyes 'big name' welterweight title fight after facing 'dangerous' Patterson
- How to watch UFC London on TNT Sports and discovery+
”It seems to be a struggle at welterweight, but my goal is the welterweight title,” he said.
”If the guys here can continue to not want to fight me, then I might have to go up, back up again and look at the middleweight belt.”
Despite being familiar with his opponent having sparred with one another in the past, Page doesn’t believe this provides any advantages ahead of their reunion in the Octagon at the weekend.
”Yes, I'm a bit more familiar with who he is and his styles and things that he kind of likes to go to.
”But at the same time, he was also helping me out with other opponents, so he's not necessarily being his best self, so I can't go by that.
”I have to go by who turns up on the night on Saturday.”
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'A nice feeling to be back' - Why MVP sees latest UFC London homecoming as 'full circle moment'
Video credit: TNT Sports
He added: ”I wouldn't say I could technically use that because the focus at the time was the opponents that I was fighting.
”My coach would restrain me and do specific things so he hasn't necessarily seen the full MVP, so to speak, in terms of going to fight somebody like him.”
Patterson comes into the fight looking for a fifth straight first-round win, and while Page is wary of his fellow Brit eyeing an early finish, the veteran is confident he will prevent such an outcome from occurring and take the win himself.
”I think he would love to, obviously,” said Page.
”It would be great for him in terms of his career. To add to that, it's going to be very difficult. He's going to have to be more cautious because of the person that's in front of him.
”My style usually forces people to be more cautious because they end up standing around and kind of like a deer in the headlights, stuck with what's going on in front of them because it's so unfamiliar.
”So it'll be very difficult for him too, especially when he finishes on his back.”
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Highlights: MVP downs Cannonier at UFC 319
Video credit: TNT Sports
How to watch UFC London in the UK
UFC London is live on TNT Sports 1.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
UFC London fight card
Main card
- Movsar Evloev v Lerone Murphy
- Luke Riley v Michael Aswell Jr
- Michael 'Venom' Page v Sam Patterson
- Iwo Baraniewski v Austen Lane
- Roman Dolidze v Christian Leroy Duncan
- Kurtis Campbell v Danny Silva
Preliminary card
- Mason Jones v Axel Sola
- Nathaniel Wood v Losene Keita
- Louie Sutherland v Brando Pericic
- Mantas Kondratavicius v Antonio Trocoli
- Mario Pinto v Felipe Franco
- Shem Rock vs Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady
- Shanelle Dyer v Ravena Oliveira
- Melissa Mullins v Luana Carolina
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