The UFC confirmed it will not re-sign welterweight Michael "Venom" Page after his contract expired following four consecutive victories inside the Octagon. Page, 37, went 4–0 in UFC competition from June 2023 through his final bout in January 2025, yet the promotion elected not to extend terms. Sources familiar with the decision cite underwhelming finish rate and modest pay-per-view engagement as determining factors.
Page's UFC tenure produced zero knockouts and zero submissions across four decisions. His opponents—Kevin Holland, Ian Machado Garry, and two lower-ranked welterweights—combined for a 9–6 UFC record during the Page fight window. Total fight-night bonuses awarded to Page: zero. His highest-profile win, a decision over Holland in March 2024, drew 6.2 million social impressions in the 48 hours post-fight, roughly 40% below the divisional average for featured prelim bouts that quarter. Bellator, where Page spent 10 years before crossing over, built his brand on highlight-reel knockouts and promotional charisma. The UFC roster carried 73 welterweights as of February 2025; the promotion historically cuts or declines renewal on 18–22% of fighters annually, prioritizing finish rate and merchandise velocity over raw win totals.
This decision reflects the UFC's broader shift toward engagement-weighted retention. A fighter earning $80,000 to show and $80,000 to win—standard mid-tier welterweight rates—becomes a net negative if his bouts don't move the pay-per-view needle or generate digital clip volume. Page's Instagram following grew 11% during his UFC run, from 1.1 million to 1.22 million followers, while Jon Jones added 340,000 in the same 18-month window despite fighting once. Sponsors targeting the 18–34 male demo increasingly demand knockout highlights and viral moments in activation decks; a four-fight decision streak offers limited creative asset value. The UFC's new $335 million annual content deal with Netflix, effective September 2025, includes performance bonuses tied to platform engagement metrics, further incentivizing roster churn toward fighters who generate algorithmic lift.
Page's departure opens roster flexibility for incoming talent from Cage Warriors and LFA, where the UFC scouts fighters with 65%+ finish rates in their last six bouts. The promotion signed 14 welterweights in 2024, 10 of whom had finished their previous opponent. Bellator, now under PFL ownership, may pursue Page's return; his 22–2 record there included 13 knockouts and consistent European gate draw. PFL's pay-per-event model tolerates decision-heavy fighters if they anchor regional broadcasts. Worth noting: Page's final UFC purse, disclosed at $150,000 total for his January fight, suggests the promotion viewed him as a journeyman-tier asset despite the unbeaten streak.
Watch for Bellator/PFL to announce Page's signing within 30 days, likely timed to their next London card in May. UFC welterweight rankings reshuffle before the next pay-per-view on March 15, with three fighters currently at 4–1 or better in Octagon competition angling for the now-vacant roster slot. Page's manager, Malki Kawa, represents 12 other UFC fighters; his leverage in future negotiations just narrowed.
The promotion now has 72 welterweights under contract. The average finish rate among retained fighters since January 2024: 58%. Page's: 0%.
The takeaway
UFC prioritizes finish rate and digital engagement over win-loss records in retention decisions, reshaping how fighters structure in-cage strategy.
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