Bellator 267

Is MVP – Lima 3 the fight to make after Bellator 267?

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This past weekend in the headliner of Bellator 267, we saw the rematch between Michael “Venom” Page (20-1) and Douglas Lima (32-10). This rematch was a couple of years in the making after the two first met back at Bellator 221 for the welterweight title.

That night, Lima became the first man to defeat MVP when he knocked him out in the second round. Outside of that loss, Page has been perfect inside the Bellator cage and really, nobody has given him much trouble.

Last Friday, Lima proved once again that he’s a very difficult matchup for MVP. MVP tried using his slick striking on the outside, but a lot of his attacks were ineffective. Lima did a fantastic job of using counters and he also was able to get the fight to the ground.

Now, both men did have their moments which made the fight very close. However, I was in agreement with the majority that watched the fight in thinking that Lima had won the fight two rounds to one.

However, when the cards were read at Bellator 267, MVP was given a split decision. Of course, many were pointing to the potential home cooking of the judges given the location of the fight. I don’t think it was a robbery, but I don’t think the right man won.

Should Bellator book the trilogy?

After Bellator 267, the only fight for both men that makes sense to me is the trilogy bout. Lima said before the fight that he considered it to be a title eliminator with the winner taking on Yaroslav Amosov (26-0).

If Lima had been given the decision, I think that would be the fight for Bellator to make given the fact that Amosov just dethroned Lima. However, with Page getting the razor close decision win, I don’t think we saw enough clarity for a title shot to be given.

Would Page be worthy of a title shot? In my opinion, yes. If Bellator went in that direction, you certainly couldn’t blame the promotion. However, after these first two fights between Lima and Page, the right thing to do is book the trilogy to settle the score once and for all.

Bellator 267 Preview: Michael “Venom” Page – Douglas Lima 2

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Later this afternoon we are going to see a big time fight in the Bellator welterweight division. In today’s headliner, we are going to see the highly anticipated rematch between Michael “Venom” Page (19-1) and former Bellator champion, Douglas Lima (32-9).

This is a massive fight with huge implications for the career of Douglas Lima. Just a few fights ago, people were talking about Lima as one of the best fighters in the world regardless of promotion. He was the Bellator welterweight champ and he had a knockout over MVP.

Lima decided to try and become a two-division champion last year. He moved up to take on Gegard Mousasi at 185 pounds. He lost a lopsided decision in his failed attempt. Then he got dominated in his return to welterweight to lose his Bellator title.

Now, his back is against the wall against a hungry Michael Page. MVP has dazzled fans for some time now with his striking ability and his knockouts. He’s won five fights in a row since his shocking loss to Lima. Today, he’s in his hometown today looking for revenge.

Bellator 267 Prediction

I think we are going to see a very technical matchup on the feet at Bellator 267. MVP got a little too flashy in the last fight which is how he ultimately got knocked out. Yes, I know that is his traditional style.

However, I think he will be much more measured in this rematch because he knows he can’t lose to Lima twice. On the flip side, I expect to see the best version of Lima with his back against the wall like it is.

When it comes down to it, I really like MVP in this spot. I think he’s going to take a very measured approach with striking from the outside. In the end, I think he’ll land enough to score more points at Bellator 267.

I wouldn’t be surprised by a finish by either man, but I think we see a point battle with MVP coming out on top.

Prediction: Michael “Venom” Page by Unanimous Decision

Bellator books Michael ‘Venom’ Page – Douglas Lima 2

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Bellator MMA announced today that they have finalized a welterweight rematch that fans have been waiting on. The promotion announced that they have finalized the matchup between Michael “Venom” Page (19-1) and Douglas Lima (32-9).

The fight will take place at Bellator 267 on October 1st. The fight will take place in Page’s hometown of London and the rematch will headline the card. This rematch is a couple of years in the making after the two first fought back in 2019.

At Bellator 221, these two met for the first time. Page was doing his thing and showing off a lot of flashy striking. However, during one his entries, Lima took his footing and planted Page. When Page was trying to get up, he was caught with a perfect shot and Lima put him out cold.

That is still the only loss in Page’s professional career. The striker has been saying that Bellator needed to run this back for the last two years and now they finally are. However, the Bellator welterweight title won’t be on the line after Lima lost the title last month.

Bellator 267

While Douglas Lima won back at Bellator 221, he’s going to be the one coming into this fight with no momentum. When these two fight in October, Lima will be carrying a two-fight losing streak and neither fight was particularly competitive.

Meanwhile, Page is 5-0 with four knockouts since the first time these two met. Most recently, Page fought back in May when he broke the nose of Derek Anderson and stopped him after the first round. Despite Lima having won the first fight, Page will likely be the betting favorite at Bellator 267.

These two men were destined to fight again and I can’t wait to see it. Page has long talked about his desire to move over to the UFC once he completes everything he needs to in Bellator. The two things he wanted to do were avenge the loss to Lima and win the Bellator title. He gets his chance at the first one in October.