LONDON – Michael Page may one day fight for a Bellator welterweight title – or maybe he won’t. For the man known as “MVP,” belts don’t matter. Revolutionizing the sport does.
“So many people have titles,” Page explained. “Not everyone can create a legacy in a sport.
“My standup style is completely different than anybody out there. That’s the kind of thing I want. The way the Gracies – Royce is here somewhere – what he did to the sport of MMA is what I want to do to the sport of MMA.”
Comparing yourself to the founding family of MMA is a bold move, but then again, “Venom” isn’t exactly known for subtlety.
With a unique striking style that has drawn comparisons to a vintage Anderson Silva – yet has in some ways surpassed even the man many consider the greatest of all time – Page values showmanship as much as any other fighter in the sport right now.
But it’s not without substance, as well, as witnessed by his devastating second-round knockout win over Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos on Saturday at Bellator 158 at The O2 in London.
“I always say, I don’t care who the main event is – I’m always the main event,” Page said. “I always go out to steal the show. I always go out to put on a show, and I know I have that ability.
“Again, Cyborg is a very credible opponent, and I wish him all the best. … But for me, it’s just another name. I keep saying it, but I genuinely believe for me, it’s just another name. I’m just ticking them off one by one.”
If there’s been any criticism of Page (11-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) in his MMA career thus far, it’s all been in relation to the quality of his opponents. Santos is the closest thing Page has to a “signature” win, but at 38 years old, “Cyborg” isn’t quite the menacing presence he once was.
But Page doesn’t concern himself with such criticism. Line them up, he says. They will all fall, Page believes, and they will do so in spectacular fashion.
“Everyone’s like, ‘Oh, you need to fight this person,’” Page said. “It will happen, and when it happens, that’s the kind of stuff that I’m going to be doing.
“I don’t chase titles. I genuinely feel the title will come to me when it comes to me. If I keep doing what I’m doing, it will come to me. Put as many people as you want before me. Let them have fun. When I’m ready to step in there, it will come to me.”
To hear more from Page on his Bellator 158 win, not to mention his Pokemon-inspired celebration, check out the video above.
And for more on Bellator 158, check out the MMA Events section of the site.
Filed under: Bellator, Featured, Featured Videos, News, Videos
View full post on News | MMAjunkie