Michael Page Questions Rory MacDonald's Willingness to Fight Him
Michael Page Questions Rory MacDonald's Willingness to Fight Him
Michael 'Venom' Page is looking to become the biggest star in MMA, but doesn't think Rory MacDonald would want to face him on his way up.
By Chamatkar Sandhu
Michael Page has quickly become one of the most exciting fighters to watch in recent times, and with an undefeated record, has already amassed a highlight reel others can only dream of achieving.
He’s next in action at Bellator 158 which marks the promotion’s debut in London, England as he takes on Evangelista Santos, arguably a fighter with the biggest name value to date.
“I don’t think it’s going to be anything different,” says Page. “I know how I can make fighters seem not as good. Cyborg is a big name but if I put my game on him on that day I’ll make him look like he’s a beginner and I know I have the ability to do that.”
When it comes to earning the respect of the MMA community Page doesn’t concern himself with what others think despite his growing list of defeated opponents.
“People will question ‘Cyborg’, the show or me so the name doesn’t really matter to me anymore,” Page said. “I just got to keep going one fight at a time. People will always have another name in their mouth for me to prove myself against. I could be 50-0, have two belts in two divisions and people will still have something to say. So that’s something I don’t really care about.
"I’m just enjoying my journey, ticking off one name at a time and moving forward with my career promoting the hands down style and the importance of learning that kind of footwork, speed and precision”.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/MMA_Jim/status/753921862846078978" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Not too long ago Page was in talks to spend some time at the Tristar gym in Montreal, Quebec, Canada helping Rory MacDonald prepare for his fight against Stephen Thompson at UFC Fight Night 89. It eventually didn’t materialize.
“We had limited time because I was supposed to be getting ready myself,” Page said. “We could only stay for a limited time and unless they were going to pay for me to stay it wasn’t financially beneficial for me to stay there that long. They went for Raymond Daniels, who is an amazing fighter and comes from my style but obviously it didn’t pay off in the end as everyone saw. I think the potential of him coming over to Bellator; he could potentially be an opponent.”
The Londoner believes there is a big difference in bringing in somebody that has a point fighting background versus someone who has adapted that style into MMA.
“If they had me come to their gym I could have shown them,” Page said. “Unless you can find somebody that can replicate that style and also knows how to wrestle, grapple it’s going to be very difficult. You need people to replicate what will actually happen in the cage. You need a point fighter in MMA and there’s very few of us so unless you’re learning from myself or Thompson you’re not necessarily going to get the full experience.”
MacDonald is now undoubtedly the hottest free agent in MMA. Bellator is openly expressing their interest in the Canadian, and Page would like to see the promotion sign him although questions how the former UFC title challenger would fair if the two were to fight.
“100% but it’s funny because I don’t think he’d want to after his experience with Thompson," Page said. "I don’t think he’d want another Thompson style fighter for his first fight in Bellator. You saw his struggles in that fight and his frustrations. He’s a big fighter with a big name and I’m happy to fight anybody so yeah it would be a good fight.”
Keeping on the topic of free agency, Page says he is only a few fights away from the end of his current Bellator contract and exploring the open market is something he might consider.
“I have a couple more fights including the Cyborg fight and then my contract is concluded,” Page said. “It’s one of those things where I would need to speak to my team. At the moment I am 100% loyal to the show that I’m on, but then things can change depending on offers. One thing I do understand is that the UFC can completely boost a fighter’s profile.
"At the same time I want to develop myself with the show that’s growing, and Bellator is massively growing. There are so many plusses and negatives one being the sponsorship deals. There’s loads of things that you have to go over so I think when the time comes I’ll sit down with my team, go over it and weigh up my options but to be honest right now my head is like I’m happy at Bellator.”
Fighter pay continues to be an issue in the sport, however, with high profile fighters such as Benson Henderson and Matt Mitrione seeing out their contracts and exploring the open market, Page believes this has had a positive impact.
“Fighters in the UFC, fighters in Bellator and from other shows, I think they’re all happy,” says Page. “Everyone knows there’s a lack of pay fighters are getting, in terms of what we put our bodies through and the dedication required training in this sport. We probably get paid the least across all sports. It’s good that these shows have a bit more competition because hopefully it means we get paid more.
"Having competition means shows are forced to put their hands in their pockets a bit more and actually pay for talented fighters and it will allow fighters to invest more in their training and live a decent life.”
Michael Page has quickly become one of the most exciting fighters to watch in recent times, and with an undefeated record, has already amassed a highlight reel others can only dream of achieving.
He’s next in action at Bellator 158 which marks the promotion’s debut in London, England as he takes on Evangelista Santos, arguably a fighter with the biggest name value to date.
“I don’t think it’s going to be anything different,” says Page. “I know how I can make fighters seem not as good. Cyborg is a big name but if I put my game on him on that day I’ll make him look like he’s a beginner and I know I have the ability to do that.”
When it comes to earning the respect of the MMA community Page doesn’t concern himself with what others think despite his growing list of defeated opponents.
“People will question ‘Cyborg’, the show or me so the name doesn’t really matter to me anymore,” Page said. “I just got to keep going one fight at a time. People will always have another name in their mouth for me to prove myself against. I could be 50-0, have two belts in two divisions and people will still have something to say. So that’s something I don’t really care about.
"I’m just enjoying my journey, ticking off one name at a time and moving forward with my career promoting the hands down style and the importance of learning that kind of footwork, speed and precision”.
[tweet url="https://twitter.com/MMA_Jim/status/753921862846078978" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]
Not too long ago Page was in talks to spend some time at the Tristar gym in Montreal, Quebec, Canada helping Rory MacDonald prepare for his fight against Stephen Thompson at UFC Fight Night 89. It eventually didn’t materialize.
“We had limited time because I was supposed to be getting ready myself,” Page said. “We could only stay for a limited time and unless they were going to pay for me to stay it wasn’t financially beneficial for me to stay there that long. They went for Raymond Daniels, who is an amazing fighter and comes from my style but obviously it didn’t pay off in the end as everyone saw. I think the potential of him coming over to Bellator; he could potentially be an opponent.”
The Londoner believes there is a big difference in bringing in somebody that has a point fighting background versus someone who has adapted that style into MMA.
“If they had me come to their gym I could have shown them,” Page said. “Unless you can find somebody that can replicate that style and also knows how to wrestle, grapple it’s going to be very difficult. You need people to replicate what will actually happen in the cage. You need a point fighter in MMA and there’s very few of us so unless you’re learning from myself or Thompson you’re not necessarily going to get the full experience.”
MacDonald is now undoubtedly the hottest free agent in MMA. Bellator is openly expressing their interest in the Canadian, and Page would like to see the promotion sign him although questions how the former UFC title challenger would fair if the two were to fight.
“100% but it’s funny because I don’t think he’d want to after his experience with Thompson," Page said. "I don’t think he’d want another Thompson style fighter for his first fight in Bellator. You saw his struggles in that fight and his frustrations. He’s a big fighter with a big name and I’m happy to fight anybody so yeah it would be a good fight.”
Keeping on the topic of free agency, Page says he is only a few fights away from the end of his current Bellator contract and exploring the open market is something he might consider.
“I have a couple more fights including the Cyborg fight and then my contract is concluded,” Page said. “It’s one of those things where I would need to speak to my team. At the moment I am 100% loyal to the show that I’m on, but then things can change depending on offers. One thing I do understand is that the UFC can completely boost a fighter’s profile.
"At the same time I want to develop myself with the show that’s growing, and Bellator is massively growing. There are so many plusses and negatives one being the sponsorship deals. There’s loads of things that you have to go over so I think when the time comes I’ll sit down with my team, go over it and weigh up my options but to be honest right now my head is like I’m happy at Bellator.”
Fighter pay continues to be an issue in the sport, however, with high profile fighters such as Benson Henderson and Matt Mitrione seeing out their contracts and exploring the open market, Page believes this has had a positive impact.
“Fighters in the UFC, fighters in Bellator and from other shows, I think they’re all happy,” says Page. “Everyone knows there’s a lack of pay fighters are getting, in terms of what we put our bodies through and the dedication required training in this sport. We probably get paid the least across all sports. It’s good that these shows have a bit more competition because hopefully it means we get paid more.
"Having competition means shows are forced to put their hands in their pockets a bit more and actually pay for talented fighters and it will allow fighters to invest more in their training and live a decent life.”