UFC Paris live blog: Michael ‘Venom’ Page vs. Nursulton Ruziboev

This is the live blog for Michael ‘Venom’ Page vs. Nursulton Ruziboev, the featured middleweight bout on the UFC Paris card on Saturday at Accor Arena in the City of Light.

One of the biggest stars Bellator MMA ever produced, Page finally came to the UFC in 2024, winning a decision over Kevin Holland in his debut. “MVP” followed that up by losing a decision to Ian Machado Garry, and from there, things took a turn for the standout striker. While Page has not lost again inside the octagon, his fights have been underwhelming, and he’s bounced between weight classes with no clear direction, causing some frustration for him with the UFC. Now fighting out the final fight on his UFC contract, Page hopes to make a statement before potentially entering free agency.

Sporting a 5-1 record in the UFC, Ruziboev also enters this fight riding a three-fight win streak and having bounced between welterweight and middleweight. A submission win over Andrey Pulyaev has Ruziboev on the cusp of a ranking, and the Uzbek fighter hopes to solidify that with a big win over MVP.

Check out the live blog for Page vs. Ruziboev below.

Preamble

Well, it’s time. UFC Paris had moved pretty quickly, which I appreciate, and now we’re to the featured bout of the evening. Could it be MVP’s final one in the UFC? Probably. And it also probably isn’t gonna be that much fun to watch. So buckle up, buttercups.

Pre Fight

Page is 7 years older, and 2 inches shorter, but has a 3 inch reach advantage. He’s a -190 betting favorite, while Ruziboev is a +160 underdog.

Joe Martinez announced Ruziboev and the crowd remains silent. MVP gets introduced and there’s a decent pop. These people must not have seen any of his recent fights.

Jason Herzog is the referee. Here we go!

Round 1

MVP out with his karate style and a lot of frenetic motion and while John Gooden says Ruziboev says he “rejects the idea that he needs a takedown,” Ruziboev shoots a double leg and immediately gets a takedown.

MVP is on the bottom and tries to wrap up a buggy choke. OK this fight is very silly already. Only took 60 seconds. But he’s not going to get this, and despite the cheers of the crowd, MVP abandons the failed attempt. Now Ruziboev is in the full guard and he lands a good elbow. But then he does nothing else for awhile. Then an elbow when MVP gets lazy with his hand-fighting.

Halfward mark and I think we’ve had four significant strikes landed between the two of them. I thought this might be dreadful to watch, but it’s proving even worse. MVP finally scoots his way to the fence, and starts trying to stand with the help of it behind him, but Ruziboev sucks him back out. I’m sure he doesn’t need these takedowns though. Just doing them for funsies.

MVP does get back up to his feet though, with Ruziboev holding on and Page lands some elbows as we’re still in this clinch. Ruziboev holding high and trying to find his leverage point, but MVP is pummeling and defending. He finally gets and underhook and hits a footsweep that off-balances Ruziboev, and let’s him get to space.

Page looking to force the action and swings a big right hand that lands. He’s clearly more aggressive than normal, but a leopard can’t change his spots. Page being more aggressive still isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire with pace, and the round ends.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-0 Ruziboev.

Round 2

Page coming forward with his bouncing style and it’s Ruziboev in retreat. MVP leaps in with a right hand that glances and now they’re in a clinch, but MVP is in control, and he breaks to space. Ruziboev is also bouncing on his toes, and he’s waiting for MVP to rush in. Instead he eats a nasty kick to the knee. Then Ruziboev comes forward and Page plays matador.

Ruziboev lands a calf kick. Neither man throwing much, we’re staring and feinting. Legit looks like a Mortal Kombat hold screen where both guys are just bouncing. Swing and a miss and we’re in the clinch again. And then out. It doesn’t really matter, no one is landing any punches anywhere. Punches are illegal, apparently. In Paris, the only thing that’s allowed is bouncing.

Page throws a kick and Ruziboev catches it. He tries to run him to the fence and Page bails and rolls out, essentially.

Page goes for a jumping knee, but Ruziboev is 10 feet away from him. He had as much chance of landing that on Ruziboev as he did of landing it on me, and I’m in Atlanta right now.

Just before the bell, they collide and the commentary team suggests Page landed something. I thought Ruziboev landed an uppercut in the exchange, but perhaps Page landed an elbow? Let me see a replay.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Page, 19-19 overall.

Round 3

They didn’t even give us a replay. Shameful. Anyway, back to the bouncy castle.

Oh! Page actually punched him. Came forward and landed a rear right hand to the face. Ruziboev reacted and then, shortly afterward, grabs a snatch single leg and climbs the tree to take him down. But Page is along the fence and working his way up to the feet, with Ruziboev not doing anything.

This fight is the exact fight everyone thought it would be. We’re still in the clinch but MVP turns him. He’s trying to break away but Ruziboev won’t let him. He turns back, and Jason Herzog steps in to break things up. Oh, Ruziboev landed a low blow in the clinch, so that was the call. But we’re separated now and Page takes no time off.

Page the one advancing. But only advancing. He’s not advancing behind offense. This is not a march, it’s a stroll. The crowd is very upset by this. The French hate casual walks, I suppose.

Bounce with me, bounce with me. Clash of heads when they come forward. Ruziboev is doing nothing now. He’s so confused, and possibly dazed from the head clash. Fortunately, if he is dazed, Page isn’t going to hurt him for it. He will just throw a punch or two at random intervals.

Cannot possibly think MVP will be returning to the UFC after this. Clinch and thankfully this “fight” is over. I guess Page wins because he landed some strikes, but no one is a winner here, least of all those of us who watched.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Page, 29-28 Page overall.

Official Decision

Michael ‘Venom’ Page def. Nursulton Ruziboev via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Post Fight

Unsurprisingly, there was no post-fight speech for Page. Methinks that’s the end of his UFC tenure.