Michael Page Explains Why Bellator 281 Loss Was Exciting For Him

Despite losing out on having interim gold wrapped around his waist at Bellator 281, Michael Venom Page (MVP) has explained why the result has still left him feeling excited. After Bellator Welterweight Champion Yaroslav Amosov withdrew from his scheduled defense against Page to continue his part in the Ukrainian effort to push back Russian forces,…

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Despite losing out on having interim gold wrapped around his waist at Bellator 281, Michael Venom Page (MVP) has explained why the result has still left him feeling excited.

After Bellator Welterweight Champion Yaroslav Amosov withdrew from his scheduled defense against Page to continue his part in the Ukrainian effort to push back Russian forces, Logan Storley agreed to cross the Atlantic into hostile territory.

At Bellator 281 last Friday, hosted inside the OVO Arena Wembley in London, MVP and Storley met in the main event with the interim strap on the line. After five rounds, the American wrestler was awarded a controversial split decision victory.

Many, including the promotion’s chief Scott Coker, have suggested that Storley didn’t deliver enough damage from his position to deserve the nod on the scorecards, with his wrestling game seemingly verging on a defense against Page’s striking rather than scorable offense.

Nevertheless, during a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Page acknowledged that he would have had a better chance of ensuring he left with the title had he been able to return to his feet.

“It’s a multitude of different emotions… For me, I needed to do better at not being held down,” admitted Page. “There’s a few things that I feel like I could’ve done, in retrospect, better. A few decisions that I made, I could’ve done better, and that could’ve guaranteed me the win.”

But despite the disappointment of failing to have his hand raised in front of his hometown crowd, “Venom” certainly wasn’t all doom and gloom following the result.

Page: “All I Have To Do Is Fix One Thing”

In fact, the setback, which marked only the second loss of MVP’s professional career and snapped his six-fight win streak, has actually made the 35-year-old striker excited for the future.

According to the English fan-favorite, the loss to Storley proved that he only has one flaw to address in his game before cementing himself as the “most dangerous” fighter in mixed martial arts.

“It’s also, weirdly enough, exciting for me, because it’s like, all I have to do is fix one thing in my game and I become the most dangerous person in MMA,” said Page. “That’s how I see it. People do not want to be in front of me while I’m doing what I do. So, it’s kind of exciting. I’m ready to get straight back to work.”

While Storley basks in title glory, albeit a controversial dose of it, it’s back to the drawing board for MVP. Given how determined he seems to address the hole in his game, perhaps we can expect a new and improved Michael “Venom” Page next time out.

Do you think that Michael Page can bounce back and make his way to another title shot down the line?

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Paul Daley Names Jorge Masvidal & Nick Diaz As The Only Two Fights He Would End His Retirement For

Paul DaleyThis past weekend, former UFC, Strikeforce, and Bellator MMA fighter Paul Daley fought what he has stated will be his last professional fight. ‘Semtex’ eviscerated Wendell Giacomo with a series of lethal hooks in the second round of his main card bout at Bellator 281. This win brought Paul Daley’s record to 44-18-2 and was […]

Paul Daley

This past weekend, former UFC, Strikeforce, and Bellator MMA fighter Paul Daley fought what he has stated will be his last professional fight. ‘Semtex’ eviscerated Wendell Giacomo with a series of lethal hooks in the second round of his main card bout at Bellator 281.

This win brought Paul Daley’s record to 44-18-2 and was his 35th win via knockout. Now at the age of 39, Daley has seen fit to hang up his gloves. However, he has stated that there are two fights that would make him return to MMA.

In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Daley revealed that a rematch against former foe Nick Diaz would tempt him out of retirement, as would a bout against ‘BMF’ titleholder, Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal. He stated that:

“I don’t wish I can get back any fight in terms of changing what already happened. But, I think if I was to pick a fight to have a rematch, it would definitely be Nick Diaz or [Jorge] Masvidal. Because they’re the ones that have turned into pay-per-view stars and I could get the most money from.”

“Nick Diaz was a great fight and I beat Masvidal, and he holds the BMF belt, even though he’s lost his last fight or so. Those are the ones that if someone came to me and said, ‘What’s going to get you out of retirement?’, those two fights. That’s it, those are the only two fights that would pull me out.” (H/T BJPENN.COM).

Paul Daley vs. Nick Diaz 1

Paul Daley and Nick Diaz’s first fight is known for being one of the greatest MMA wars of all time. The two welterweights faced off under the Strikeforce banner in 2011 for the 170lb title.

The fight may have only lasted one round, but both men hit the canvas at various points. Diaz may have ultimately won, dropping Daley at the end of the round and forcing ‘Big’ John McCarthy to stop the fight, but Daley gave as good an account of himself as one could hope for.

Fans would certainly love to see these two veterans run it back in one last hurrah for both their careers. Check out the iconic first fight below:

Scott Coker Criticizes Logan Storley’s Win: “You Can’t Just Lay On Somebody”

Bellator President Scott Coker thinks interim welterweight champion Logan Storley could’ve done more in his win at Bellator 281. Storley defeated Michael Venom Page via split decision in the Bellator 281 headliner. He won with his wrestling and was able to survive barrages from Page on the feet to secure the victory. But Storley’s approach…

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Bellator President Scott Coker thinks interim welterweight champion Logan Storley could’ve done more in his win at Bellator 281.

Storley defeated Michael Venom Page via split decision in the Bellator 281 headliner. He won with his wrestling and was able to survive barrages from Page on the feet to secure the victory.

But Storley’s approach to his win over Page didn’t go without criticism. Many fans and pundits questioned the final scorecards due to Storley’s reluctance to put out offense after scoring takedowns.

During his Bellator 281 post-fight press conference, Coker explained why he feels Storley did a disservice to the viewing audience.

“Honestly, I think Logan has some improvement to do myself too,” Coker said of Storley. “You can’t just lay on somebody and think you’re gonna win and score points, that’s not MMA, that’s wrestling. To me, if you’re gonna wrestle, you have to continue to wrestle and then try to submit, ground-and-pound, strike.

“There’s a difference between what you see on the wrestling mat and what you see in the cage. To me, all these fighters…. they’re at the very highest level of what they do. But, they owe it to themselves, they owe it to the audience, to the fans… to continue to get better at the disciplines that they’re not strong in.”

Coker went on to answer how he scored the Storley vs. Page headliner.

“I thought [Page] won that fight,” Coker revealed. “The reason I say that… Half of the round, he was striking. The other half, you can’t just lay on somebody. You’re not doing any damage, you’re not getting close to a submission, you’re not creating any threat. You’re just laying on somebody, and that’s not MMA.”

Storley earned a shot for the interim title after welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov pulled out of his fight with Page to fight on the front lines in Ukraine. Page earned the title shot by defeating Douglas Lima via a split decision.

Despite Coker’s criticism, Storley will face Amosov at a later date in a rematch of their close fight at Bellator 252. The former Division I wrestling standout will look to bring a more well-rounded game to the champion in his next Bellator appearance.

How did you score Logan Storley vs. Michael Venom Page?

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Fabian Edwards Knocks Lyoto Machida Out Cold In 1 Round – Bellator 281 Highlights

Fabian EdwardsFabian Edwards has knocked former UFC champion Lyoto Machida unconscious in the first round of the co-main event of Bellator 281. Fabian Edwards, the brother of UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards, picked up the biggest win of his career to date. The two men began somewhat tentatively, trading leg kicks back and forth. However, the […]

Fabian Edwards

Fabian Edwards has knocked former UFC champion Lyoto Machida unconscious in the first round of the co-main event of Bellator 281.

Fabian Edwards, the brother of UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards, picked up the biggest win of his career to date. The two men began somewhat tentatively, trading leg kicks back and forth. However, the entire momentum of the fight changed when they clinched. Edwards landed a brutal elbow on the break that had ‘The Dragon’ reeling.

From that point on, Edwards continued to lay it on, landing three massive left hands to send the former UFC champ crumbling to the canvas. Several follow-up shots ensured Machida would not be making it back to his feet anytime soon.

Edwards wins via 1st round KO.

Below, check out the highlights of Fabian Edwards’ brutal KO of Lyoto Machida:

Paul Daley Lands Incredible Highlight Reel KO In Retirement Bout – Bellator 281 Highlights

Paul DaleyAfter undeniably losing the first round and a half of his final pro MMA fight, Paul Daley exploded into action, knocking out his opponent in truly emphatic fashion at Bellator 281. Daley walked out to a rapturous crowd in the SSE Arena. However, things did not initially go to plan for the former Strikeforce, UFC […]

Paul Daley

After undeniably losing the first round and a half of his final pro MMA fight, Paul Daley exploded into action, knocking out his opponent in truly emphatic fashion at Bellator 281.

Daley walked out to a rapturous crowd in the SSE Arena. However, things did not initially go to plan for the former Strikeforce, UFC and Bellator veteran. His opponent, Wendell Giacomo, was able to out grapple him for the entirety of the first round, and even appeared to come close to securing a leg lock.

‘Semtex’ opened up at the start of round 2, but a reckless flying knee saw him once again brought to the ground. However, Daley climbed back to his feet, and suddenly unleashed a barrage of punches. Giacomo could do nothing more than collapse to the canvas, as one of the hardest p4p hitters in MMA did what he does best.

Paul Daley wins via second-round KO.

Below, catch the highlights from Paul Daley’s final MMA bout:

Enkamp Secures Comeback Win With Rare Buggy Choke At Bellator 281

Welterweight Oliver Enkamp thrilled the London audience at Bellator 281 on Friday with a remarkable come-from-behind submission. After a successful Paris card, Bellator MMA returned to England’s capital on Friday, May 13 for another exciting card. After five fights, the crowd inside the OVO Arena Wembley were still awaiting their first finish, but when it…

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Welterweight Oliver Enkamp thrilled the London audience at Bellator 281 on Friday with a remarkable come-from-behind submission.

After a successful Paris card, Bellator MMA returned to England’s capital on Friday, May 13 for another exciting card. After five fights, the crowd inside the OVO Arena Wembley were still awaiting their first finish, but when it came, it came in some style.

In the sixth fight of the night, former UFC fighter Enkamp shared the cage with six-fight Bellator veteran Mark Lemminger. Despite a fast start from the Swede, the American quickly took over and had a firm grasp on the fight heading into the final round, with the second potentially even being worthy of a 10-8 score for Lemminger.

But less than 30 seconds into the third frame, Enkamp, who went 0-2 in the UFC courtesy of losses to Nordine Taleb and Danny Roberts, flipped the script.

After appearing fatigued, Enkamp had a spinning kick caught, with Lemminger sending him to the ground. From there, the Stockholm native adjusted position and locked in a unique buggy choke out of nowhere, securing the tap and a crazy comeback triumph.

It’s safe to say we have a Submission of the Year candidate…

Check out the wild finish below:

With the victory, Enkamp, who boasts a 2014 win over UFC fighter Guram Kutateladze, extended his professional record to 11-3, and his Bellator slate to 4-1. Lemminger, meanwhile, was sent home with his very first submission loss. He’s now 12-5 as a pro, with a negative 2-4 record under the Bellator banner.

What was your reaction to Oliver Enkamp’s come-from-behind submission?

Continue Reading Enkamp Secures Comeback Win With Rare Buggy Choke At Bellator 281 at MMA News.