Scott Coker's $60M Ki MMA Launch Ignites Free Agency as UFC Releases Michael Page

The global mixed martial arts free agency market just caught fire. In a span of less than a week, the UFC has purged a top-15 middleweight, a legendary promoter has returned with a massive war chest, and a wave of fresh blood has inked new deals. The balance of power in combat sports is shifting heading into the final quarter of 2026, and the fighters are the ones cashing in.

The biggest shockwave hit on September 11, 2026, when the UFC officially parted ways with Michael "Venom" Page. Despite amassing a 5-1 record inside the Octagon and riding a four-fight win streak, the 39-year-old British striker was abruptly removed from the middleweight rankings. UFC CEO Dana White was blunt about the decision, confirming that the promotion's matchmakers simply "didn't want to re-sign him" because all six of his bouts went the distance.[3][7]

Page, who built his reputation on highlight-reel knockouts in Bellator, was less than thrilled with the exit. Speaking on "The Ariel Helwani Show," he revealed he discovered his release online. "Found out the same time everyone else found out—I was chilling on holiday and I see I'm getting messages from people," Page said. He now enters the open market with a 26-3 professional record, instantly becoming one of the most coveted free agents in the sport.[2]

He won't have to look far for suitors. On September 14, former Strikeforce and Bellator boss Scott Coker officially announced his return to the promoter's chair, unveiling "Ki MMA" at a press conference in New York City. Backed by $60 million in financing and Griffin Gaming Partners co-founder Peter Levin, Coker's new venture is explicitly hunting for talent. "There's not any free agent that's untouchable," Coker declared, throwing the doors open to fighters looking for a new home.[1]

Ki MMA is slated to launch in the first quarter of 2027 with a massive 32-man featherweight tournament spanning four continents—North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Fights will take place in a ring rather than a cage, a nod to the golden era of Japanese combat sports. With former Bellator matchmaker Rich Chou leading athlete relations, the promotion is positioning itself as a high-budget alternative for athletes squeezed by the UFC's current contract structures.[1]

That leverage is already emboldening current UFC stars. Middleweight contender Paulo Costa has spent the last few months publicly demanding his release from the final fight of his UFC contract. On September 11, Costa confirmed he is signing a management and sponsorship deal with Matchroom Talent Agency, led by boxing powerhouse Eddie Hearn—a frequent critic of Dana White.[4][8]

"I have too much respect for what he's doing," Costa said of Hearn. "He's a super important person in the fight business. Not only in boxing, but he's coming to MMA right now." Costa claims the UFC rejected his requests to fight in June, July, and August, and he recently turned down a five-round offer for UFC 332 in Salt Lake City, demanding better pay for the extra rounds.[4]

But while veterans are testing the waters, the UFC is aggressively reloading its roster with high-upside prospects. During Week 6 of Dana White's Contender Series on September 15, the promotion handed out four new contracts at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. The standout was 13-0 Kyrgyzstani lightweight Akbar Abdullaev, who needed just 19 seconds to flatline Ednilson Santos with a devastating overhand right.[5]

The Contender Series also offered a story of redemption for Brazilian middleweight Igor Cavalcanti. Two years after falling short on the show, the 28-year-old returned to stop Oscar Ravello via TKO in just 98 seconds. Ecuadorian welterweight Mayton Perea and middleweight Luis Hernandez also secured UFC deals with impressive stoppage victories, proving the promotion's pipeline remains fully stocked.[5]

The UFC also brought a familiar face back into the fold. Cuban heavyweight Robelis Despaigne, a 38-year-old Olympic taekwondo bronze medalist, re-signed with the promotion after a brief stint on the regional circuit. Despaigne, who initially burst onto the scene with an 18-second knockout at UFC 299 before suffering back-to-back losses, is scheduled to face Tai Tuivasa at Crypto.com UFC 331 in Los Angeles on September 19. "I'm thankful to the UFC for giving me the opportunity to make my return," Despaigne said.[6]

The flurry of September transactions underscores a rapidly evolving landscape. With Ki MMA injecting $60 million into the ecosystem, the PFL continuing its global expansion following the MVP merger, and the UFC churning its roster to prioritize action over tenure, fighters have more options—and more leverage—than they've had in years. The bidding wars of 2027 are already starting.