Champion vs. champion bouts are always compelling, and that’s what we have in store in Bellator‘s next feature event. Bantamweight champion Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas will take on interim titleholder Joe Warren at Bellator 128 on Friday from the Global Event Center at Winstar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
Per Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting, the Brazilian-born Dantas said:
I think (the interim title) was good for the promotion so they could promote an American champion, promote a title fight, but it makes no difference to me. I’m the champion and I will remain champion. That interim title shouldn’t exist, but they gave him anyway. I don’t care. I will go there and show him I’m the real champion. He got that interim title for a few months, took some pictures with it, but it’s time to give it back.
In April, a head injury sidelined Dantas and created an opportunity for an interim crown. Warren battled Rafael Silva for it in May at Bellator 118. Despite being hit a lot early in the bout, Warren rebounded to capture the unanimous-decision win.
Now that Dantas is back, he is looking to snatch Warren’s interim tag.
Also on the card is the return of the undefeated and electric Michael “Venom” Page. With a 6-0 record and all his wins coming by way of stoppage, the flamboyant and gifted Page looks to continue his polarizing rise up the Bellator welterweight ranks.
While some may not like his hot-dogging style, there’s no way to doubt the 27-year-old Londoner’s skill level. Right now, he is to Bellator what Conor McGregor is to the UFC, minus the built-in national following. Page is a love-him-or-hate-him fighter who compels people to watch.
On Friday, he faces “The Rock-N-Rolla,” Nah-Shon Burrell. At only 24 years old, Burrell still has a bright future. He spent some time in Strikeforce and the UFC, but he hasn’t captured the signature win he needs to propel himself to the next level.
Can he be the one to humble Page? Here’s the viewing information and predictions for the full card. Predictions for the top two bouts are just below the table.
Venom Will Strike Burrell
Stylistically, Burrell is custom-made for Page. The Rock-N-Rolla wants to stand and scrap, but he doesn’t have the length, athleticism or skill level required to catch Page or avoid his unorthodox attacks.
At 6’1″, Burrell has more than sufficient length for most welterweights, but Page is not ordinary. At 6’3″, Venom is long enough to be a solidly built middleweight or even light heavyweight.
He’s extremely agile, slippery and confident. It’s only a matter of time before he catches Burrell with a quick and powerful strike. If he doesn’t KO him with the punch or kick, he’ll pounce on his fallen opponent and lock in a submission that ends the fight.
Look out Douglas Lima. Page is coming.
Dantas Will Leave the Cage as the Only Champion
Seeing Warren win the belt might have been a feel-good moment considering he’s a 37-year-old veteran finding success late in his career, but the dream will end Friday.
Warren’s defense has never been spectacular, and in the main event, he’ll be facing a younger, longer, more physically gifted and determined champion who doesn’t like another man staking claim to his title.
Warren is giving up five inches to Dantas and a lot of speed. This one won’t go the distance as Dantas is likely to batter the tough Warren en route to a TKO win.
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