Michael ' Venom' PageTwo-and-a-half years into his UFC career, Michael ‘Venom’ Page is down to the last fight of his original six-fight deal. The 39-year-old has won four of five, fought at two weight classes and is now back at middleweight, where he says he sees his route to a UFC title.

For all the changes, Page feels his UFC run has not built the momentum he expected. com ahead of his middleweight fight against Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Fight Night in Paris.

“So this fight is to restart that momentum again, and build towards the top.” Page looks to restart his momentum at 185Page's move between the divisions has been tied to that search for momentum.

After his wins at middleweight, he wanted to return to welterweight because he saw fights there that interested him. “I wanted to go back to welterweight, just because I feel like there’s some really exciting fights at welterweight,” Page said.

“But the guys at welterweight don't like to fight regularly enough for me, and I wasn't getting enough people saying yes to wanting to fight me, so it made more sense to go to middleweight, because I feel like I'll have regular fights.” “Well, I've solidified myself now at middleweight, so it's gonna be middleweight,” he said when asked which division he sees himself fighting for a UFC title in.

The move up has also suited him physically. “They gave me more food,” Page said with a chuckle.

“To eat more, and feel a lot stronger. So yeah, I definitely feel stronger.

I equally still feel as fast, but I feel a lot faster than the guys at middleweight, just because I'm used to exploding and keeping up with welterweights. So the middleweights, I feel my speed is even better there.”

Ruziboev brings a different test for PageThe next step is Ruziboev, who is ranked No. 15 at middleweight and comes into Paris on a three-fight UFC winning streak.

The Uzbek is 5-0 in the division, with his only UFC defeat coming in his lone appearance at welterweight. His most recent win was another reminder of the danger he carries on the ground.

Ruziboev submitted Andrey Pulyaev in the first round in June, taking his career total to 21 submission wins, according to his UFC record. “Yeah, I think he's a long, rangy fighter.

And as you say, he's got very good submissions, so that's definitely his dangerous area,” Page said. “So yeah, it's making sure I don't get caught up in anything where he can use that advantage against me.