Report: Paul Daley and Michael Venom Page to fight in February in Connecticut
The long-awaited rivalry fight between Paul Daley and Michael Venom Page appears to finally be happening, but not where many expected it to take place. According to Brett Okamoto of ESPN, Daley vs MVP will take place February 16, at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.
Breaking: Per sources, the long awaited Bellator grudge match between Paul Daley and Michael ‘Venom’ Page will take place Feb. 16 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. pic.twitter.com/XKGS7IcE50
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 30, 2018
Both fighters are from the United Kingdom and have huge followings from their home country and while there may be questions about the fight happening in Connecticut, Bellator does plan to carry the fight live in the U.K. Included in Okamoto’s report is that the fight will air on 5Spike in the U.K.
I know many are surprised Daley/MVP not taking place in England. It was definitely discussed from what I've heard, and multiple parties wanted it there. Bellator has various partners who have a say in these decisions though. The fight will air live in the UK.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 30, 2018
I'm told the UK broadcast plan for Bellator's Paul Daley vs. Michael 'Venom' Page fight on Feb. 16 is with channel 5Spike, and that it will be a live.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 30, 2018
The Daley vs Page fight will come as part of Bellator’s Welterweight Grand Prix tournament that was announced earlier this year. In this tournament, current champion Rory MacDonald will lose his belt if he loses during the tournament. MacDonald lost an opportunity to become two-weight world champion when he was defeated by middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi back in September.
MacDonald will now compete in the 10-man Grand Prix tournament where his first opponent will be Jon Fitch although no date or location has been announced as of yet.
One of the most entertaining matchups to begin the tournament will be Daley vs MVP and the rivalry between the two makes it a must watch. Back at Bellator 179 in video captured by MMA Junkie, Daley and Page can be seen getting into a scuffle following Daley’s loss to MacDonald.
The two have exchanged in a verbal war that has gone on for over a year and now will come to the Bellator cage on February 16 to fight it out. In his last fight, “Semtex” Daley lost by decision to Jon Fitch at Bellator 199. Following his loss, Daley did get a new contract with Bellator after a long negotiation process and the deal was announced in June.
In his last fight, Page defeated David Rickels by second-round TKO in what was his only fight of 2018, and remains undefeated in his professional career. Not only will Daley and Page get to fight their rivalry out, the winner will advance in the Grand Prix tournament, getting closer to Bellator’s welterweight title.
