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#5 Michael Venom Page vs. Paul Semtex Daley (Welterweight)
The unorthodox Michael Page (13-0) vs. knockout artist Paul Daley (40-16-2) promised to be a colossal fight in the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. In case you didn't know, the winner would meet Douglas Lima in the semi-finals of the tournament.
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Round 1: MVP came in with his hands down in his own distinct karate stance. Daley looked more traditional in his approach and wasn't in the mood to fall into MVP's trap. Daley kept circling around as MVP kept following him.
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The fans started getting a little restless as the supposed striking machines were abnormally dormant in the first round. The fight had not started yet as not even a single punch was thrown up until this point.
Page ended the round with something to his name as he got a jab, kick and a knee to win the round.
If this would have been Pride, the referee would have been like....
Round 2: MVP was more animated in the second round as Daley refrained from engaging.
MVP connected with a sweet jumping front kick to Daley's face. Daley looked unfazed but that looked good! Daley realized it was time to get some points on the board as he shot for a takedown. Page defended it really well but Daley held on. He pushed Page to the cage. The separation happened and both men were back to the center of the cage.
Daley successfully landed a takedown and controlled both of Page's legs to avoid him from standing up. He connected with two shots to the body as he continued to wear Page down.
Daley did a great job of using his feet to keep Page down. Both men got back up on their feet and Daley unleashed a wild left that didn't connect. Page stumbled momentarily as Daley rushed in for the finish. Page survived as the round ended.
Daley 10-9
Round 3: Nice front kicks from Page to begin the round. Page mixed it up with a jab. Page scored with a beautiful straight right hand.
Daley shot for the takedown but Page defended well. Daley worked his way in the clinch and tripped Page to score another impressive takedown.
It was tough to get a good position but when he did, Daley connected with three solid shots to the face of Page. Page got back up to his feet as the round came to a close.
Daley 10-9
Round 4: Daley got another takedown within a minute of the first round. A smart strategy deployed by the usually aggressive Daley, who neutralized the unpredictability of Page by taking him out of his comfort zone by shifting the fight to the mat,
MVP looked to set up a Triangle choke from the closed guard. They got back up to their feet. Page dominated in the second half of the round after a tagged Daley with a flying knee that pierced through Daley's guard. He got Daley down and controlled the fight until the end of the round with elbows and strikes from the top.
Page 10-9
Round 5: Daley got a takedown as the round kicked off. He retreated but Page stayed on the ground. Daley got back into Page's open guard and attempted to land some strikes from the top.
However, Page made it difficult but at the same time, couldn't find a way to get back up to his feet. Daley made a mistake as he gave his back up to Page. MVP began working towards a rear-naked choke with over a minute left to go.
Daley got up to his feet but Page didn't let go. The fans urged MVP on to finish the fight as he unloaded with some elbows. Page ended the fight on top.
Page 10-9
Result: Michael Venom Page def. Paul Daley via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
It was not the night we expected, but MVP showed great composure to extend his undefeated record to 14-0. Daley came in with an intelligent game plan but couldn't capitalize on the various takedowns he scored.
As things stand, Venom will go on to face Lima in the Welterweight Grand Prix semi-final fight on May 11th, 2018.
