Regardless of opponent, Bellator's Michael Page says flashy style is going nowhere

Michael Page

Michael Page is doing some nasty things to fighters who step into the Bellator cage to face him. While some feel Page’s flashy style is something he’s able to get away with based on quality of opposition, he said that every fighter, no matter the name, has the same thing coming.

In his most recent outing at Bellator 144, Page (9-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) smashed in the face of Charlie Ontiveros (6-4 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) with elbows on the ground to score his eighth first-round stoppage in nine career bouts:

Ontiveros entered this past Friday’s bout as a last-minute replacement after four different opponents dropped out of the event, which took place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and aired on Spike following prelims on MMAjunkie.

Unfortunately, Ontiveros represented another outmatched opponent for Page. It’s something that has been a constant criticism of the British welterweight.

“You have to pay attention to every person,” Page, who was the feature of a pre-event MMAjunkie mini-documentary (see below), said following his victory. “I take everyone very seriously. It doesn’t make a difference. You may have a shorter time to do it, but I know if I’m the best me on that day, I feel unstoppable.”

Page has made his name with a flashy style that involves a variety of wild striking, taunts and near-constant risk. Many, including one reporter who said the style bred “bad habits,” think it’s a style that won’t hold up when Page faces the Bellator elite.

“I don’t see it as bad habits, and I disagree with what you’re saying,” Page said. “I think those guys that I end up fighting will get the same treatment. In fact, it will probably be worse for them because they’re going to stick around.

“Today, I felt that (Ontiveros) was back-stepping a lot, and it was hard to find him. Those other guys, they are going to underestimate my style and put their foot down, and they’re going to end up on the end of something crazy. That’s me.

“I’m not going to change that because of the name of the opponent. My fighting style, for me, is superior. I’m going to go out there and do it against every person who steps into the cage against me.”

For more on Bellator 144, check out the MMA Events section of the site.

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