Michael 'Venom' Page Leaves the UFC and Calls for an MMA Fighters Union

One of the most entertaining strikers in mixed martial arts has closed the UFC chapter of his career. Michael "Venom" Page is out of the UFC, and he is leaving with a message for the sport: fighters need to unionize.

A Strange UFC Run

Page arrived in the UFC with enormous hype after years as a highlight-reel star in Bellator. His unorthodox, hands-down striking style made him a fan favorite. But his UFC stint never quite took off, and analysts are now debating how it will affect his overall MMA legacy.

Page has been candid about why. He said his relationship with UFC president Dana White was "nonexistent" and that White was "never really a fan of me."

Next Stop: Misfits Boxing

Page is not done fighting. He has signed with KSI's Misfits Boxing, saying he is "coming to show the boxing world what I can do." His speed and movement could translate well to the boxing ring. See where he fits in our fall 2026 boxing schedule.

"Move as One": The Union Call

Page's biggest statement is about the business of MMA. He says fighters need to form a union and "move as one" if they want better pay.

Fighter compensation has been one of the sport's most debated issues for years. Unlike athletes in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, MMA fighters are independent contractors without a players association to negotiate on their behalf. Supporters of a union argue that collective bargaining is the only way to secure a bigger share of revenue.

For a look at how labor fights play out in American sports, read our explainer on the looming MLB lockout.

Elsewhere in MMA

The UFC's biggest weekend of the fall is here. UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi features Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev and the Yan vs. Dvalishvili trilogy. Read our UFC 333 preview.

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