Those hoping to one day see Paul Daley and Michael Page square off in a battle of England's most exciting fighters are out of luck.
Daley doesn't have much interest in a bout with Page, because of their considerable gaps in experience, he said. "Semtex" compares it to the relationship with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Adrien Broner.
"Would Floyd Mayweather ever consider a fight with Adrien Broner?" Daley told MMA Fighting. "He wouldn't because he seems himself in a completely different league, though they're similar characters. And that's how I see it. He's super talented, as is Adrien Broner, but I've been in this sport for a long time and I've had some great victories and I've been in some great fights. And there's more to come. For me, Michael Page just has to get that experience."
The only opponent Daley (38-14-2) has in mind right now is Derek Anderson. The two will meet in the co-main event of Bellator 163 on Friday night at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.
It's a bout that Daley, coming off a loss to Douglas Lima in July, hopes sets up bigger fights in the future. The Nottingham native has his sights sets on the likes of Benson Henderson, Rory MacDonald, Bellator welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov and a rematch with Lima for the future.
Page is not one of the names he is looking at. Maybe not ever.
"People are pumping him up with sponsored Facebook and social-media posts, pumping his views up and pumping his name up and stuff like that," Daley said. "For me, his name doesn't hold that much weight. He hasn't been in there with anybody yet. Like a 50-year-old Cyborg is the biggest name that he's been in there with and he did what we expected him to do against an opponent like that."
Page (11-0) is one of Bellator's top, up-and-coming stars and one of the most exciting fighters in the promotion. He has finished all but one of his Bellator's bouts, almost the lot of them in spectacular fashion. "Venom" will meet Fernando Gonzalez in the co-main event of Bellator 165 on Nov. 19 in San Jose.
Daley, 33, has been impressed with Page, four years his junior. That isn't the issue. He just doesn't feel like a fight with Page makes any sense for him.
"We're not in the same bracket," Daley said. "I've proved my worth to the sport. And I think he just needs to establish himself a little bit more. He's a good fighter with a lot of potential. I just think we need to see more of him. That's it."
What would it take to get Daley in the cage with his countryman? A lot of money or Page having the Bellator title around his waist. Otherwise, "Semtex" feels like there are a lot of other foes who make more sense.
"It has to be worth it to me, because I just see myself past that fight," Daley said. "It's hard for me to describe, but it's in my head."