Michael Page Grinds Out Decision Over Ruziboev in Middleweight Return at UFC Paris

THE RESULT

Michael "Venom" Page got through a tougher test than he wanted at UFC Paris, surviving a heavy grappling push from Nursulton Ruziboev to win a unanimous decision and extend his winning streak to four fights since moving back up to middleweight.

WHY HE MOVED UP

Page explained the move as less about strategy and more about where the opportunities were. "The opportunities was coming at middleweight," he said before the fight, adding that his path forward in the UFC looked clearer at 185 pounds than it had at welterweight. He arrived on a run that included wins over Shara Magomedov and former title challenger Jared Cannonier, while Ruziboev had strung together three straight wins of his own, most recently a first round submission in June.

PROMISE VERSUS REALITY

Page had talked before the fight about wanting to "take risks" and fight more aggressively at his new weight, a departure from the cautious, point scoring style that occasionally drew criticism during his UFC run. Ruziboev's wrestling had other ideas, forcing Page into long stretches of grinding rather than the highlight reel finish he'd been hinting at.

WHAT'S NEXT

The win is still Page's biggest result since arriving in the UFC and puts him back in the middleweight conversation, even without the statement finish. For Ruziboev, the loss ends his run at 185 but shows he can trouble a name as established as Page.