Michael “Venom” Page has been generating buzz since his exit from the UFC.
Being among the top fighters globally no longer guarantees a spot in the UFC. If a fighter isn’t entertaining enough or fails to connect with the audience, they risk being released, regardless of their win record. This was the situation for Page during his UFC tenure. Despite winning five out of six fights, it wasn’t enough to secure his place. Although his career may not have many years left, numerous promotions are interested in signing him following his UFC departure.
Michael “Venom” Page is currently exploring his options, and a new opportunity has emerged. The fresh Ki MMA promotion, created by Scott Coker and Rich Chou, aims to make a significant impact once it launches. Chou has already expressed his interest in Page, stating:
“Page and I share a solid history. He embodies everything we admire about martial arts and MMA. It just makes sense for both sides to be open to discussions; it shouldn’t be a one-sided conversation.”
Chou made it clear that if Page reaches out, he will be seriously considered to be one of the first fighters signed by Ki MMA. Beyond just Page, the promotion plans to pursue many free agents currently available.
Chou added, “If you’re a free agent, you should explore your options and test the market. Through our work at Strikeforce and Bellator, we’ve consistently invested in free agents and brought fresh energy to the sport. Free agency is genuinely a factor today.”
He continued, “Scott mentioned we have an eight-figure budget reserved for free agents. One of the biggest challenges in returning to the business is figuring out who is available and when. Considering the current state of the sport, many fighters might hesitate to take a chance. We hope to rewrite that narrative, shake things up, and show fighters they have a real and worthwhile alternative with us. It’s definitely a conversation worth having on both sides.”
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Fan Take: This development is exciting for fight fans because Page’s association with Ki MMA could bring a fresh, entertaining dynamic to the sport outside the UFC. If Ki MMA successfully attracts top free agents, it could shake up the MMA landscape, giving fighters more leverage and fans more thrilling matchups to look forward to.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
