A ‘STORM’ is coming to London next month, but Michael ‘Venom’ Page is confident of weathering it and getting his hand on interim Bellator welterweight gold.
The Storm in question is Sanford MMA and divisional standout Logan Storely, whom Page will lock horns with in the main event of the promotion’s latest trip to the UK.
On paper, Storely – who is one of the best wrestlers in the division – will be one of the tougher tests of Page’s highlight-reel-littered career.
But, as ever, the enigmatic and dynamic Page is confident of securing another spectacular victory at the SSE Wembley Arena.
The London Shootfighters standout told SunSport: “I’m just going out there to go and enjoy myself and put on a good performance.
“That’s just my goal for this fight. And I think my style and things that I’ve done in my career speak for themselves in terms of that.
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“And I’ll continue doing that in this fight.”
Storely was drafted in as a replacement for undisputed Ukranian champion Yaroslav Amosov, who is currently on the frontlines defending his nation from a Russian invasion.
The unthinkable trials and tribulations currently being experienced by Amosov and his countrymen aren’t lost on Page.
He said: “The situation that he’s in, people can’t even think of or comprehend it. But I just hope he stays safe and his family are safe.
GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED“I understand him wanting to go over there and wanting to make sure his family is all good and I hope everyone is okay.
“But with regards to myself, we’ve just got to keep moving on. But I hope he’s fine, in general, and that the war doesn’t go on for too long.
“Because war, it only really ever helps the higher-ups. It doesn’t help anyone else.”
Preparing for a new opponent on short notice isn’t anything new for Page, although he’s had to tweak his wrestling defence somewhat for Storely’s grappling.
The 35-year-old said: “They have a different style of wrestling. I would say Storely has more of a traditional American style of wrestling.
“Whereas Amosov comes from a slightly different background and he’s got better chain wrestling.
“And he probably would’ve been a bit more trickier to deal with – although they’re both complicated.
“But either way, we had to change what we were doing.”
Although he won’t be fighting for the undisputed 170lb belt, victory against Storely and the acquisition of the interim title would be a small physical memento for Page’s career.
But the belt, and the prestige that comes with it, is something Page has never sought.
The Bellator vet said: “For me, it’s just the cherry on top.
“I knew eventually if I keep doing what I’m doing that eventually, I’ll have a belt around my waist.
“But it really isn’t the overall goal in my career.
“It’s great and when I think about it, it’ll be nice to bring back something from my fight, but the most important thing is going out there and winning in impressive fashion as I’ve done in the past.
“I do feel fighters do place a lot of value in the belt and put a lot of pressure on themselves to win one.
“For me, it’s just a win. I just want to make sure I win and I want to make sure I keep it out of the judges’ hands.”
Before the interim strap can be wrapped around his waist, Page must first overcome a dogged and determined wrestler in Storely.
He said of the match-up: “For me, he’s not as dangerous standing as he is on the ground.
“If he’s smart, he’s not even going to attempt to try and stand with me.
“He’s probably going to try and do what he did with Amosov and be constantly shooting and trying to make it and wrestling match and drain my muscles.
“But it makes it a bit easier to prepare for because you’re literally only going to be going for one thing.
“My cardio, my muscular endurance training that we’ve been doing has been non-stop. My fitness has definitely gone up.
“It was good anyway, but it’s definitely gone up. And my explosiveness has definitely gone up.
“Every time he fails a takedown and he’s tired, I’m still gonna be there and still have the ability to switch your lights off. Whether you go for a takedown or not.
“If he goes for a takedown, he’s going to be in danger and if he stands on his feet for too long he’s going to be in danger.
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“Just the whole time he’s going to be in danger. He has to perfect for 25 minutes, I only have to be perfect for one second and it’ll be game over.”
Tickets for Bellator 281 MVP vs Storley are on sale now, and are available to purchase via both axs.com/uk and BELLATOR.com
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