While the state of Bellator MMA as a company is still in question — though all signs are pointing to it closing up shop, or joining forces with Professional Fighters League (PFL) — several fighters are already looking ahead at life potentially without the Viacom-owned mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion.
Among them is former Welterweight title contender, Michael Page, who revealed this past summer that he was no longer under contract with the promotion. At the time, “Venom” stated that re-signing with the company wasn’t out of the question, but also revealed that he would be exploring other options.
Should Bellator indeed wrap it up (Showtime Sports is about to), then Page signing with another promotion will happen soon, and it could be with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) after the two sides met over the weekend in Abu Dhabi. According to Dana White, he is very interested in acquiring the services of the sensational striker.
“He’s a kid that we’re definitely interested in,” White said Saturday post-UFC 294 (via MMA Fighting). “He’s interested too. Possibly.”
Page is 7-1 in his last eight fights and is coming off a knockout win over Goiti Yamauchi. He initially signed with Bellator in 2013 and has racked up an overall record of 17-2 with the promotion, but came up short in his lone title fight, losing to Logan Storley via split-decision at Bellator 281.
With 13 knockouts on his resume, the British brawler would be a welcomed addition to the already-stacked UFC Welterweight division. And if both sides can come to an agreement, we could be expecting an announcement soon.
And it could be the beginning of things to come…