Undefeated Michael Page is Dropping Opponents in Short Order
Nine months after his previous fight in October of 2014, Bellator welterweight Michael “Venom” Page was happy to finally get back to fighting this past July with a 65-second win over Rudy Bears, but he still feels he could have done better.
“I landed my first couple shots early and went for something big and messed up the timing and got taken down,” said Page. “I was able to get back on my feet, and thought it was better to soften him up a bit before trying some big shots, but that very next shot was the one that finished him.
“I’m not happy with the mistake that I made, but I’m learning as I go along.”
In his three years in MMA, Page has come a long way in his development, but is always working on his game. In particular, this year, Page has focused on keeping his opponents at his most effective range.
“I’ve been working a lot on my clinches and combinations that I can land when someone’s so close,” Page told MMAWeekly.com. “Maintaining my balance to make sure I don’t get taken down. Make it uncomfortable if they stay near me and force them back into the long range game which is my game.”
Page (8-0) will look to keep his undefeated streak alive when he takes on Charlie Ontiveros (6-3) in a 170-pound feature bout at Bellator 144 on Friday night in Uncasville, Conn.
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“I know that if I’m the best me on that day, I don’t see anyone beating me,” said Page. “So I’ve got to make sure it’s all about me and the best me shows up.
“Everybody has bad days, so I’ve got to make sure I have those before fight day. I’ll have bad days in the gym with my teammates, and that’s it, so when I go out there and fight people, they don’t have a chance.”
Having only fought once this year, Page is eager to keep the ball rolling, and he feels the best is yet to come from him.
“I think there are talks of a show in December,” said Page. “I don’t want to overlook anybody. The focus is winning this fight, but if all goes to plan, I want to be back in December.
“Right now, people are falling over pretty quick, but I’m not complaining about that. I’m happy to keep getting the wins and moving forward and improving my rank. I’ve got a lot offer.”
