For the better part of a year now, Bellator welterweight standouts Michael Page and Paul Daley have been embroiled in a public feud, with Page calling for a fight with Daley while Daley blew off the challenges, saying ‘Venom’ wasn’t on his level as a fighter. Then last month, it looked like maybe Daley’s stance had changed.
At Bellator 179 in London, Daley took on Rory MacDonald in the main event of the evening and was submitted in the second round. Page, who was supposed to fight Derek Anderson in the co-main event but was forced to withdraw with a knee injury, attended the event, sitting cageside as Daley exited. The two fighters ended up getting into a scuffle right then and there and it looked like Bellator has an easily promotable fight to sell between two of their more recognizable entities.
But not so fast. According to Page, Daley still doesn’t want the fight. In a video sent to Ariel Helwani, Page explained that Bellator approached him about headlining against Daley for Bellator’s return trip to England in September but that Daley had once again refused to face him. Furthermore, “MVP” says that this is the final straw and that he’s no longer interested in a fight with Daley since Daley has passed up the chance to fight him so many times now.
Mr. @Michaelpage247 just sent me the following message: pic.twitter.com/4f2Dy4kdjJ
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 11, 2017
“So check this. Bellator contacts me with some news. Amazing. We are gonna main event you and Paul Daley back in London in September. Jeez! That is just what I wanted to hear. After Paul Daley loses horribly to Rory MacDonald, he decides to call me out. He gets outside of the cage and conducts himself unprofessionally, running at me and causing a bit of a scuffle outside of the cage. No problem. Now it’s gonna happen. Main event, In London. September.
“But check this! Paul Daley, for the third time this year, has said he’s not going to fight me. I know, I know, I know. You’re thinking the same thing: that doesn’t make sense! He called me out! But yes. Paul Daley, you’re a disappointment to every UK fighter. You’re a disappointment to every fan in MMA that wanted to see this fight and there’s a lot of people that wanted to see this fight. You’re a straight disappointment. You are forever going to be known as Paula ‘Tampax’ Daley. That is your legacy. And like I said, this is the third time now, so you’re out. Don’t ever ask me to fight again.”
But Page didn’t stop there. Previously, Page used social media to trash Daley almost daily in an effort to get a fight with him, including creating his own mini diss track and accompanying Instagram video. Now Page is back to his old tactics, taking continuous shots at “Paula” for refusing to fight.
Page has recently said that he expects to rehab his knee injury in the coming months and wants to return “as soon as possible” but it doesn’t look like it will be against Paul Daley when he does.
MUST-READ STORIES
Results. UFC Fight Night Auckland took place on Saturday and here are the results.
Farewell. Derrick Lewis announced his possible retirement after loss to Mark Hunt.
Rematch. After win over Derrick Lewis, Mark Hunt wants JDS or Overeem rematches.
Confidence. Jimi Manuwa is confident he can KO “fat wrestler” Daniel Cormier.
Hogwash. Dana White responds to Demetrious Johnson’s outburst against the UFC.
VIDEO STEW
UFC 211 Focus.
Post fight presser.
Free fight.
The interview heard round the MMA world from Friday.
Roy on MayGregor.
TTTHS.
LISTEN UP
6th Round. BE crew has the immediate reaction to UFC Fight Night Auckland.
Post-Fight. Luke Thomas does and instant reaction to UFC Fight Night Auckland.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Respect.
Travis Browne out here trying to fight a guy who is leaving the sport.
Vicious schade.
Lewis said I win Arlovski because he's old with 37 but Mark Hunt 43 years old beat he like a baby
— Francis NGannou (@francis_ngannou) June 11, 2017
If he’s still waiting on Mayweather, then it’s certainly not fight related.
Something BIG is coming #BP pic.twitter.com/Rm9L66FkfZ
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 11, 2017
#wouldwatch
Book it. Unless @TWooodley needs someone to fight sooner than October. pic.twitter.com/rYcwVmQXu7
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) June 9, 2017
Also #wouldwatch
Everyone is tired of hearing you bitch about $ @ALIAQUINTA Its' time to fight & I am the only fight you got. #UFCAuckland #ufc @danawhite pic.twitter.com/BpLITrExBh
— Evan Dunham (@evandunham155) June 11, 2017
Ronda with the Hulk.
Filming the new Battle of the Network Stars today and look who I found! Rhonda Rousey
Posted by Lou Ferrigno on Saturday, June 10, 2017
Weidman as The Ultimate Warrior and Villante as Hogan for a birthday party.
Sage certainly has the abs to be a TAM guy.
Don’t even know what Kenny said but I’m guessing it wasn’t a lot.
Fuck @kennyflorian !
— John Moraga (@chicanojohn) June 11, 2017
Important questions answered.
The Atomic Butt drop is not a kick and is not a foul #AskBJM https://t.co/GX7NRwMm2V
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) June 11, 2017
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mike Perry (10-1) vs. Thiago Alves (22-11); UFC 215, August 19.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2007: Spencer Fisher and Sam Stout had the second in their trilogy of fights, with Fisher winning a unanimous decision in the main event of UFC Fight Night 10.
2009: Lyman Good became the inaugural welterweight champion when he stopped Omar De La Cruz with punches in the first round at Bellator 11.
2010: Chuck Liddell competed in MMA for (hopefully) the final time, getting knocked out by Rich Franklin at UFC 115. In the co-main event, Mirko Cro Cop recorded the first legitimate submission of his career, tapping Pat Barry with a rear-naked choke.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I watched almost every minute of UFC Fight Night Auckland this weekend and the only things I can remember from it are Ben Nguyen hustling Tim Elliott and Derrick Lewis possibly retiring. No knock on the card or even the fights in general, but there is just so much UFC these days and this year especially has been lackluster in real excellence. I mean seriously, what is the current FOTY frontrunner? I have no idea. There have been plenty of okay fights but nothing has really blown my doors off.
Anyway, we’ve got yet another solid but uninspiring card ahead of us this weekend. This one has a little more appeal (IMO) than last week’s endeavor but still nothing to write home about. Keep it locked here for all the coverage and make sure you check out The MMA Hour today as it should be good.
Take it easy y’all and Conor bless.
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