Nursulton Ruziboev faces Michael Page in UFC Paris main event

Nursulton Ruziboev will be Michael Page's opponent in the main fight of UFC Fight Night 287, an event taking place on Saturday in Paris. The bout is scheduled at welter‑middleweight (185 lb) and marks the final fight of Page's current UFC contract.

The fight at Accor Arena

The clash between the 32‑year‑old Uzbek and the 39‑year‑old Englishman is set for the event’s main card, broadcast on Paramount+. Ruziboev steps into the Octagon with a mixed‑martial‑arts record of 37 wins, nine losses and two draws, including five wins and one loss inside the UFC. Page, meanwhile, holds four wins and one loss in the promotion, his sole defeat coming at the hands of Ian Garry.

Despite Page's experience—having beaten names such as Sharabutdin Magomedov and Jared Cannonier at welter‑middleweight—Ruziboev is considered the underdog. The Uzbek fighter is known for his finishing ability, boasting 20 career submissions and four stoppages by submission in his five UFC victories.

Michael Page's weight‑class change

Page's decision to fight at welter‑middleweight for this event was driven by frustration over the lack of available opponents at middleweight (170 lb). The Englishman said the top contenders in the lower division seemed to wait for opportunities rather than create them, describing the division as crowded and tactically evasive.

"It's less about a clearer path and more about getting more regular fights at welter‑middleweight, while welter‑middleweight feels very congested," Page explained. He noted that when he sent opponent suggestions, most were already booked or injured, prompting his team to accept the fight against Ruziboev.

Fighting style and opponent analysis

Although Page initially did not recognize Ruziboev's name, he admitted having seen the fighter compete. His coaches provided a detailed analysis, highlighting the Uzbek's high finishing rate. Nonetheless, Page expressed confidence in his own style, which often confuses more defensive opponents.

"They see this eccentric style in front of them, they freeze, become more defensive and try to take the easy options during the fight to survive," Page said. He observed that while it is hard to finish an opponent who avoids risk, his job is to find a way to break through that defensive posture.

Final fight of the contract

This bout marks Michael Page's last fight under his current UFC contract. After the event, he will become a free agent, potentially making him an attractive option for other promotions, given that he spent most of his career in Bellator. Page stated that the goal of the fight is to remind the organization why he was signed.

The Englishman acknowledged that he has not delivered the level of performance he wanted since joining in 2024, with all four of his wins coming by decision. "I'm still excited to be in this game, but I also feel I haven't delivered what I wanted to deliver," he said. Page is looking to regain the spontaneity and enjoyment he felt in his earlier fights.

Information sourced from BBC, Yahoo Sports, MMA Junkie.