Very rarely does a fighter see himself remain in the UFC after suffering three consecutive losses.
Therefore, it’s do-or-die for Damacio Page.
Page (12-6), who’s coming off two straight defeats to Demetrious Johnson and Brian Bowles, will put it all on the line when action begins on April 14th at UFC on Fuel II.
“My back is against the wall right now,” Page told Bleacher Report. “I have nothing to lose right now.”
“I have lost two fights in a row and hardly anyone stays in the UFC after losing three straight,” said Page. “Only a select few have made it past three straight losses.”
With his future in jeopardy, Page isn’t about to let his lifelong dream come to an end.
A mixed martial artist was someone Page aspired to be growing up from a very young age.
In order to focus his attention on his upcoming bout against Brad Pickett (20-6), Page often recalls the long road which he traveled to get to where he is today.
“It was apart of growing up for me. It was in my blood to fight. I started wresting in high school and then again in college. I love the physical aspect of the sport. You go out there and wrestle someone and it’s the same thing when you fight someone,” said Page. “It’s one-on-one only more intense.”
“It’s for guys to get to their peak performances and to fight each other,” said Page. “What more could you want than that?”
Page will do everything and more to capture his win since October of 2009, but it won’t come without a price.
His opponent, Pickett, is also on a fast track to the top of the bantamweight division, having won 10 of his last 12 fights.
In order for Page to break his losing streak, he’ll need to dictate the pace of the fight early and often.
game time made it to Sweden
— Damacio Page (@damaciopage) April 10, 2012
“I think my speed will be the biggest factor in this fight. I think I’m faster and more explosive. I think that’s the biggest key. I think he’s a tough individual. He brings problems for anyone at 135. He’s a great fight for anyone,” said Page. “He’s going to give you problems the whole way.”
“I’m focused on me in general. As long as I do me I’ll be fine. I went back to the drawing board. I’m done with the injuries that I had over the past two years. I’m finally feeling 100 percent. I just did me for this whole camp,” said Page. “As long as I do what I do, I should come out with the ‘W’.”
If Page is anything like the Page we’ve seen in the past, viewers and those in attendance can expect an early finish and a series of fireworks from the get-go.
However, it’s been two-and-a-half years since we last saw a Page finish.
And a rule of thumb for all fighters: if you can’t finish, make sure you’ve done enough to win the judge’s scorecards.
“If it’s going to the judge’s scorecards, I’ll leave no doubt in their minds. I’m going to win. I don’t know if he wants to put on a show for the fans or what he wants do. I know that I want to win,” said Page. “If I go to the judges I’m going to convince them that I won the fight.”
“If it’s a short night then awesome. That means I can get ready for my next fight. I think either way I’ll have my hand raised,” said Page.
Page recognizes the depth of the 135-pound weight class but believes anyone has the opportunity to become the champion.
However, before Page can focus on what’s ahead, he’ll need to defeat an extremely dangerous opponent in Pickett.
“I think everyone has their time to shine and I think this is my time.”
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