MVP needs to take a step back to move forward to the next fight
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Bellator MMA President Scott Coker has assessed the next step for Michael Venom Page (MVP) after a two-fight combat sports losing skid.
Earlier this year, MVP had a six-fight winning streak – including a retaliation against the only man to defeat him in MMA at the time, Douglas Lima – rewarded with his first shot at welterweight gold. promotion.
But when champ Yaroslav Amosov pulled out due to his decision to defend Ukraine from Russian invasion, the Bellator 281 MVP headliner turned into an interim title contest and smothering wrestler Logan Storey got a plane ticket to London.
At May’s event, held at OVO Wembley Arena, the American smothered ‘Venom’s unique and outlandish striking game, controlling him for much of the main event in five. rounds.
Although many still scored the fight in favor of MVP, including Coker, two of the judges nodded to ‘Storm’, ensuring he came back across the Atlantic with gold. in his possession.
Despite the loss, Page seemed optimistic about what was to come in the cage. But it turned out that had to stay on the back burner as he tested the bare waters under the BKFC banner.
In August, MVP threw himself with former UFC welterweight Mike Perry in the same arena where he had failed to achieve Bellator championship status three months prior. Once again, MVP controversially failed to raise his hand.
This time, the referee’s failure to signal what many perceived as a clear knockdown for MVP in the second round led to the pair battling to a draw. “Platinum” eventually edged out the tiebreaker round to secure the victory.
Despite the second of his losses in 2022 away from Bellator’s cage, the organization’s leader acknowledged that it will have an effect on Page’s future plans.
Coker will ‘go back to the drawing board’ with MVP
During a recent appearance on MMA hour with Ariel HelwaniCoker discussed the unique freedom Bellator offers its roster members, with Page’s venture to BKFC representing a move that many promotions would have rejected.
After noting that the finances involved with ‘Venom’ prevented him from denying the Briton an away outing, Coker revealed his words of encouragement to his man both before the fight and after the loss.
“Michael fighting with his bare hands is something where he came up to me and said, ‘Hey, I really want to do this. When he told me about the economy it meant for him, I couldn’t say no to this kid,” Coker said. “I said, ‘Hey, you know what? When you fight, Michael, you have to go out there and do your best. You represent us, because if you lose, we lose too. Because your value is based on your victory… So keep in mind that you represent the company, do your best.
“He went there, he made a valiant effort, and it didn’t work out for him. I texted him and I was like, ‘Look, I know it didn’t work out, but hey, i hope it’s just a learning process to improve your hands, your feet. But in mixed martial arts, you’re still one of the best fighters in the world. Don’t let this fight alone kill you. shoot down,” Coker added.
Assessing the plan moving forward for MVP, who remains one of Bellator’s hottest stars, Coker suggested the Londoner will need to take a step back if he is to progress further.
“So we go back to the drawing board with him. But honestly, if he had won, it would have been a different outcome for everyone,” Coker noted. “Now he’s just had two losses in a row. We have to take a step back, I think, to take a step forward in his next fight.
With those comments in mind, perhaps Bellator will look to field the 35-year-old striker against an opponent lower down the welterweight scale for another main event in England’s capital next year.
Having dropped to two defeats in as many outings in London last year, a good result in front of a home crowd would no doubt do Page’s confidence immensely as he looks to begin another Championship charge.
This story originally appeared on MMANews.com. Please provide transcript credit with a link to this article if you use any of these citations.
