Tree species
Michael Page barely needed five minutes to figure out “Shara Bullet.”
The UFC Saudi Arabia co-main event saw Page hand Shara Magomedov his first loss as he put together a complete three-round performance that had the previously unbeaten fighter looking puzzled as to how to approach Page. “MVP” added yet another striking clinic to a career full of them and later told reporters that he knew the game was in hand after a few exchanges in the opening round.
“Before even the end of Round 1, I knew he was never going to do anything to beat me because he was only going to want to strike,” Page said at the event’s post-fight press conference. “I still feel like I was just a little bit too hesitant. Straightaway, I could feel that he was second-guessing a lot of himself, so I knew I was going to take that fight.”
Prior to facing Page, Magomedov was 15-0 as a pro and 4-0 in the UFC. His most recent win ended with a dazzling double spinning backfist knockout of Armen Petrosyan, a sequence that had Magomedov on the fast track to a title shot.
However, none of Magomedov’s dazzling techniques were on display against Page, a fact that Page attributes more to his ability to neutralize his foes than any shortcomings on Magomedov’s part.
“He’s still an exceptional striker,” Page said. “I would never take that away from him. The reason why people felt like that is because of what they see, what he does in the cage. He is an exceptional fighter, but the reason I called him out is because for me, with my experience, years and years of experience, I’ve seen that style before and I knew what I could do with that style, which is why he didn’t look as impressive today.
“Does it take anything away from him? No, I would never say that guy’s not a good fighter. He’s amazing.”
As pleased as Page is with his latest performance, he’s still yet to find a finish in three UFC appearances. During his run with Bellator from 2014-2023, Page developed a reputation for highlight-reel finishes accompanied by viral celebrations.
Page admitted his time in the UFC has proven more challenging than expected, but that fans will see him back in finishing form soon.
“I didn’t think this at the beginning, but I’m starting to think it a bit more now, there is an effect of being in the UFC,” Page said. “The magnitude of UFC brand, the event, I think that’s what’s kind of still weighing on me a little bit and it’s making me a little bit more hesitant whereas before, when I was at Bellator, there was no hesitation. I was in there, I was very sure of myself. I don’t know if it’s I’m wanting it too much, I’m second-guessing myself, I don’t know what it is, but there is definitely a UFC effect. But the more comfortable I get, the more you’re going to see the old ‘MVP.’”