MVP says he doesn’t get why he was cut for being “boring” while some Dagestani fighters stay in the UFC. He called it a stylistic double standard, pointing out that grappling-heavy Dagestani wrestlers have dominated for years and were also called boring at times, yet they kept their spots. “I’m just saying, if boring is the reason, then you could argue some of the Dagestani wrestlers that came in and took over… that was somewhat of a boring aspect of what people were seeing. And yet, those guys get to stay.”
Michael Venom Page is pushing back on the reasoning behind his UFC release, questioning what he sees as an inconsistent standard when it comes to fighter style and entertainment value.
The British welterweight, known widely as MVP, took aim at the notion that he was cut for being "boring," arguing that the label has been applied selectively throughout the sport's recent history. Pointing specifically to the wave of grappling-heavy Dagestani wrestlers who have dominated the UFC over the past several years, Page suggested those fighters drew similar criticism at times yet faced no such consequences.
"I'm just saying, if boring is the reason, then you could argue some of the Dagestani wrestlers that came in and took over… that was somewhat of a boring aspect of what people were seeing," Page said. "And yet, those guys get to stay."
The comments reflect a broader frustration Page appears to have with how the UFC weighs entertainment value against performance when making roster decisions. His own style — built heavily around flashy striking, unorthodox movement, and crowd-pleasing moments — is not what most would associate with the criticism of being dull, which makes his release on those grounds feel contradictory to him.
Why it matters
- The argument touches on a genuine tension in MMA promotion: balancing win-loss records, pay-per-view appeal, and stylistic diversity when building a roster.
- Page's comments put a spotlight on whether the UFC applies its entertainment standards evenly across fighters from different backgrounds and fighting disciplines.
- His release leaves a notable personality out of the welterweight division, and his public comments could shape where he lands next and how that negotiation is framed.
