Michael Page is one a small but growing number of fighters making an exciting name for himself with a sport karate base. After ten fights, six of them in Bellator, he has never lost.
On Saturday at Bellator 158 in London, Page meets a fearesome gatekeeper in Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos. The Brazilian fighter is coming off a KO loss to SaadAwad on May 14, but declared himself ready.
“A soldier has to always be ready for war,” said Santos to Guilherme Cruz for MMA Fighting. “I was back in the gym to train two days after my last fight. I have no time to waste. I always enjoyed training, especially now that I’m 38. I can’t just stop training. I’m like an old car: if you stop using it, it won’t work anymore. I have to stay active.”
“It’s a good fight. He’s coming off good wins, he’s 10-0, but he hasn’t been in a tough situation in the ring yet. I’ve been through every situation a fighter can be in a fight, and this is my 50th MMA fight. I’ve fought the best all over the world, and that’s how you prove you’re a real fighter. I hope it’s a great fight. He has good abilities, but hasn’t been beat up yet. We don’t know how he reacts when he’s getting beat up.
“Tell me one tough fighter he has beaten. Just one. He’s not a real fighter yet. If you haven’t been beaten before and came back to win, like ‘Minotauro’ or Wanderlei, or Anderson against Chael Sonnen, you’re not a real fighter yet. In situations like this, you prove to be a real fighter. I’m not saying he can’t become a great fighter, but he hasn’t been in situations like this yet.”
“I won’t win by decision because we’re in London, and we know what happens. Anderson would have to kill Bisping to win here. I can win by submission or knockout. It depends on how the fight goes. I’m ready for every situation the fight offers.”
