.png)
Michael “Venom” Page put on a masterclass performance in the UFC Saudi Arabia co-main event, effortlessly shutting down Shara “Bullet” Magomedov to secure a unanimous decision victory. Moving up to middleweight, Page showcased his elite striking, frustrating Magomedov over three rounds and never allowing the Russian to find his rhythm.
Despite facing a dangerous opponent, Page dictated the pace from the start. Using his reach and precision striking, he repeatedly tagged Magomedov with stiff right hands while staying elusive. Magomedov struggled to land anything significant, relying primarily on leg kicks, but failing to break through Page’s defense. The scorecards reflected Page’s dominance, reading 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 in his favor.
After the fight, Page delivered a memorable message, referencing Magomedov’s nickname, “The Pirate”, in his post-fight interview.
“Everybody look at me. Look at me. I am the captain now,” Page said after taking down ‘The Pirate’ on Saturday. “I wanted to mix it up. Shara Bullet is an amazing MMA fighter, regardless of this result, he’s going to go on and do some amazing things.”
The fight began with Magomedov targeting Page’s legs with kicks, but the former Bellator standout controlled the center of the octagon, waiting for the right moment to counter. Late in the first round, Page exploded forward with a slick right hand, forcing Magomedov to acknowledge the strike with a thumbs-up.
As the fight progressed, Magomedov’s frustration became more evident. Unable to land any significant strikes to the head, he continued attacking the legs, but Page’s movement and rangy punches kept him at bay. Before the final round, Magomedov’s corner urged him to be more aggressive, but Page’s defensive prowess made it impossible for the Russian to mount any real offense.
With a smile on his face, Page coasted to victory, handing Magomedov his first career loss. It was a statement win for Page in his UFC middleweight debut, though he later suggested his primary focus remains at welterweight, hinting that this might have been a one-time move up in weight.