Michael Page vs Nursultan Ruziboev

Expected fight flow

Michael Page edges Nursultan Ruziboev in a competitive striking battle, staying composed through the dangerous moments and winning by decision. Ruziboev pressures forward, but Page's sharper positive momentum carries him through the later rounds.

Michael Page: Michael Page's positive, confident vibe keeps him composed and precise enough to control the fight and earn the decision.

Nursultan Ruziboev: Nursultan Ruziboev brings a positive mindset but cannot consistently turn his pressure into enough decisive moments to win.

Paris middleweight showcase on UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs Parnasse

With Michael Page travelling to face Nursulton Ruziboev in a middleweight bout at UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs Parnasse inside Paris’ Accor Arena, this matchup is set up as a high-profile showcase on the UFC’s French return.

Age, size and pedigree split the matchup

Page, a 39-year-old British striker who built his reputation as a flashy Bellator star before signing with the UFC in 2023, meets 32-year-old Uzbek finisher Nursulton "Black" Ruziboev, a 6'5 middleweight ranked 15th in the division.

Contrasting recent wins and layoff patterns

Page comes off an uninspiring unanimous-decision win over Sam Patterson on 21 March 2026, while Ruziboev enters after submitting Andrey Pulyaev by rear-naked choke on 27 June 2026, enjoying just 70 days of layoff compared with Page’s 168.

Striker vs submission artist in finishing profiles

Historically, Page has relied on spectacular striking with 13 career knockouts and 13 first-round finishes, whereas Ruziboev’s resume leans on grappling with over 20 submission victories and a finish rate above 90%.

UFC durability for Page vs octagon finishing for Ruziboev

In the UFC, Page has yet to be stopped by strikes or submissions, but Ruziboev’s aggressive approach has produced an estimated 80% finish rate in his octagon wins, including three knockouts and one submission in the promotion.

Pro records and big-league success tilt competitive balance

Page brings a polished 25-3 professional record and a 4-1 UFC mark with four wins in his last five outings, while Ruziboev counters with a 37-9-2 career slate, a 5-1 UFC record, and a strong 6-2 big-league resume.

Moneyline lean to Michael Page

Backing Page on the moneyline makes sense given his strong UFC run and a significantly higher Elo rating around 1828, indicating market confidence in his overall skill and résumé.

Ruziboev underdog finishing upside

Ruziboev offers underdog appeal because his 91.9% big-league win finish rate and consistent success against credible opposition suggest he can convert limited name recognition into upset potential.

Over rounds based on Page’s decision trend

An over on rounds (such as over 1.5 or 2.5) is attractive because all four of Page’s UFC victories have come by decision, giving him a 0% finish rate so far inside the promotion.

Ruziboev by submission prop

Targeting Ruziboev by submission at plus money taps into his profile as a prolific grappler with more than 20 career submission wins, including a recent rear-naked choke of Andrey Pulyaev.

Page by knockout longshot

Page by knockout at elevated odds is a viable swing, leveraging his history of 13 career KOs and numerous first-round blitzes if he can exploit Ruziboev’s aggression in striking exchanges.