Michael Page: Sean Strickland mad enough to not care and engage me in striking

Michael Page sees a UFC champion bringing the best out of him.

Page (26-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) continued winning in the octagon when he defeated Nursulton Ruziboev (38-9-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) by unanimous decision on Saturday's UFC Fight Night 287 main card at Accor Arena in Paris.

"MVP" was hoping for the finish he's long been seeking, but once again was left frustrated when Ruziboev didn't entirely engage. It's been the same story throughout his past few fights, but if there's one fighter he's confident would actually fight him, it's UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland.

"Again, Strickland," Page said during the post-fight press conference (h/t TNT Sports UFC). "I've asked for that fight a couple of times. I think that's a great fight because he's mad enough to not care and just keep coming forward, but I still think eventually I put him in a box. I don't think there's any striker, anybody in the world, that can beat me striking with my style."

Ruziboev marked the final fight on Page's UFC contract. The hope is to re-sign, and he won't be satisfied until he delivers a knockout.

"There's more to just having a 'W.' There's more to it, and that's what I wanted," Page said. "That's what I was seeking, and I just need to go back and figure it out with my team. I know I can. I think that's more frustrating now. Sign me for one more fight. Let me just get that knockout and then you can kick me out."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Page: Sean Strickland 'mad enough to not care' and engage me in striking