Hollywood actor Chris Pratt, who has a background in wrestling, was blown away by Michael Page’s performance at Bellator 200.
Known to Marvel fans as ‘Starlord’, Hollywood actor Chris Pratt was one of the stars in attendance at last Friday’s Bellator 200 event at the SSE Arena in Wembley, England, and the Avengers: Infinity War protagonist was left dazzled by Michael ‘Venom’ Page’s masterclass performance in the co-main event.
Page, an outrageously eccentric and technical striker from the London Shootfighters fight team, taunted and teased opponent David Rickels before ending the fight with a crushing right hand in the second round.
Rickels, 29, was chasing ‘MVP’s’ shadow for the majority of the contest and had decided enough was enough in the second round, verbally signalling to the referee he no longer wanted to continue.
Pratt, a former high school wrestler and student of UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, was awestruck by Page’s performance and congratulated the Brit on Instagram.
“Thanks @bellatormma for an amazing night,” Pratt posted on Sunday. “I was honored to meet @michaelvenompage peep the infinity gauntlet! Straight up? This dude is the future. Never seen anything like him before. He moves like Anderson Silva or John Jones, has more swag than Connor McGregor. I’ve never seen a more mean, dynamic, explosive showman in the ring. He viciously and systematically broke his opponent, a very worthy man by the way. Can not wait to watch him fight again.”
Page, 31, responded shortly after and thanked Pratt for his kind words.
“Much respect to @prattprattpratt for his kind words on his post. I was shocked to even see him in the crowd, let alone spend time with him after the show. Such a genuine guy with some amazing stories! Much respect to my #infinitygauntlet brother. #Bellator200 was unreal and will be a show that I’ll never forget.”
Page, who has come under fire for not challenging himself against the divisional elite, is expected to fight welterweight knockout artist Paul Daley in his next fight under the Bellator banner, which will help to establish the kickboxer’s true standing in the division.