Michael Page isn't sulking after Bellator 221 knockout loss, will 'go piss some more people off'
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Michael Page is going to enjoy reading your comments about his knockout loss to Douglas Lima at Bellator 221
Page (14-1 MMA, 10-1 BMMA) had his unbeaten run brought to a screeching halt on Saturday when he was brutally finished by Lima (31-7 MMA, 13-3 BMMA) in the second round of their welterweight grand prix semifinal bout. “MVP” believes early success in the bout made him too confident, and he ended up paying the price.
Page is “annoyed” but said he’s already gotten over the outcome. And if anyone was going to put the first blemish on his record, he’s happy it was Lima.
“In all honesty, if I could lose to anybody I’m glad it was him,” Page told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at Bellator 221’s post-fight news conference. “He’s an amazing martial artist and person. Right away I said I respected this man. If I could lose to anybody it would be him. So I’m kind of over it. It’s more about bouncing back now and what path I should take.”
Page said he thinks a minor mistake is what cost him. The finishing sequence saw Lima take Page’s legs out with a low kick before putting him out cold with a right hand as the Brit attempted to stand up. Page said the way he chose to stand up put him in position to get hit, and that ultimately cost him.
“It was a very accurate punch,” Page said. “He’s a person you don’t want to get hit with even at the best of times, so it is what it is.”
Despite getting put on the highlight reel in devastating fashion, Page said he’s “completely fine” physically and is looking to make a return to competition in September. He knows the loss is going to embolden his critics, but Page said he’s going to embrace all of it and use it as fuel to return better.
“It’s not over for me,” Page said. “I’m going to enjoy the comments after this one. I know a lot of people have been waiting for it. I’m going to enjoy it. I’m going to soak it up, and then I’m going to go piss some more people off.”
For complete coverage of Bellator 221, check out the MMA Events section of the site.