Bellator 165's Michael Page sends message to Fernando Gonzalez: 'Retire after this'

Michael Page is feeling like he might actually get to step into the cage and fight Fernando Gonzalez.

“I do believe it’s likely we’re going to get in there,” the Bellator welterweight told MMAjunkie.

That’s about as optimistic as Page (11-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) can be, given two of their previous bookings have been canceled. The first time, he had to withdraw. The second, it was Gonzalez (25-13 MMA, 5-0 BMMA).

But the third, a co-headliner at next month’s Bellator 165 event, looks like it’s on track. “Venom” has starred at a media day in support of the event. The buildup, as he puts it, is “going correctly.”

Bellator 165 is his eighth scheduled appearance for the Viacom-owned promotion, a career that’s frequently hindered by a lack of willing opponents But this one is different, or so he claimed.

“I’m hoping (I finish him in the) second round, just because I want to put my hands on this guy,” Page said. “He has annoyed me. It’s the first time I’ve been bothered by anybody.”

When Gonzalez prodded at him in the media for the first cancellation while using a pretty standard accusation of cowardice, it managed to strike a chord with Page.

He was so mad, he made a video about it:

When he steps onto the canvas for the Spike-televised fight on Nov. 19 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., Page said he’s on a mission to make an example out of Gonzalez, as if he hadn’t already done that with his previous opponent.

“Retire after this fight,” Page said, looking directly into the camera for the above video interview. “I’m going to make you feel like you should retire, because guys like me are just constantly coming through, and you’re not ready for this.”

For more on Bellator 165, check out the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.