Michael "Venom" Page Secures Decision Victory Over Sam Patterson at UFC London Amidst Criticism

Michael "Venom" Page secured a decision victory over Sam Patterson at UFC London on March 21, 2026. However, the welterweight fight received criticism for its low level of engagement.

The welterweight fight received criticism for its low level of engagement, with a combined 39 significant strikes landed over 15 minutes.

Rogan Points to Shared Training as Cause for Cautious Fight

Joe Rogan, a commentator, suggested that UFC matchmakers were responsible for the disappointing bout. Speaking on his Fight Companion podcast, Rogan highlighted a key factor he believed contributed to the lack of action.

He noted that Page and Patterson had previously trained together, which he believed might have contributed to the cautious approach of both fighters. Rogan speculated that a lack of available opponents for Page in London could have led to this specific pairing.

Fighters' Familiarity and Matchmaking Concerns

Although Page and Patterson were not full-time training partners, they had significant experience training together. Patterson had notably assisted Page in preparing for past opponents. Despite their familiarity, both fighters accepted the bout.

Rogan compared the fight's low action to other notably slow contests. He emphasized his view that:

Matching fighters with such intimate knowledge of each other's style could lead to a lack of excitement.

Impact on Fighters: A Pyrrhic Victory for Page?

For Sam Patterson, the loss ended a four-fight winning streak.

Rogan indicated that Page, despite the win, gained little and potentially lost momentum due to the nature of the fight.