Michael ‘Venom’ Page is seeking revenge when he takes on Douglas Lima at Bellator 267 in London, while Leah McCourt, Robert Whiteford and Luke Trainer will also be confident of extending their winning streaks.
Page to Close Book on Lima Rivalry
Michael Page and Douglas Lima have the privilege of closing out the show at Wembley Arena on Friday as Bellator returns to London for the first time since MVP headlined against Giovanni Melillo in November 2019.
That victory over Melillo was second in a current run of five victories after suffering the only defeat of his professional career against Lima at Bellator 221 in May 2019.
After an even opening round, which saw Page land a series of damaging leg kicks and Lima enjoy some ground control, the Londoner rocked his rival early in the second with an overhand right.
Page, who should earn a shot at welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov if he claims a victory, began stalking his rival but a misjudged attack saw him hit the canvas and Lima landed the knockout blow with a right uppercut.
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Lima comes into this rematch off the back of successive losses, although they have come at the hands of Amosov and middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi.
There’s no doubting his ability but Page, who is available at 20/23, should get the better of the Brazilian this time around.
Lima’s last three fights have all gone the distance but MVP doesn’t tend to leave it in the hands of the judges and a KO/TKO win for the #2 ranked welterweight looks a likely outcome.
McCourt Seeking Sixth Successive Win
Leah McCourt lost by KO on her professional debut when facing Rizlen Zouak at Cage Warriors 85 but she has won her following five fights and victory number six looks to be on the cards.
A submission triumph over Janay Harding at Bellator 259 in May has propelled McCourt up to #5 in the featherweight rankings and another win will put her on the path to a shot at champion Cris Cyborg.
The Black Widow is a heavy 1/8 favourite to overcome 17/4 Jessica Borga and there is little to suggest she won’t continue her rise through the rankings.
She has finished three of her four bouts since joining Bellator and her striking has improved vastly to match her high-level submission attack.
Meanwhile, two of Borga’s three defeats have come by KO/TKO and another loss in that manner could be on the cards.
McCourt should have the edge in all areas to finish this one inside the distance.
Whiteford and Trainer to Live up to Favourites Tag
Unsurprisingly, Friday’s card is stacked with British interest and it’s worth considering Scotland’s Robert Whiteford and Englishman Luke Trainer.
Whiteford, available at 5/14, takes to the cage for the first time since 2019 when he beat Sam Sicilia in London and he boasts a fine 16-4 record.
Representing
@Flyinjudoka is back in action on October 1st, when he takes on @andrewfisher9 at #Bellator267.@SSEArena | @AXS_UK | https://t.co/g1MlDzmFNT
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Rustiness could be an issue when he faces Andrew Fisher and, having seen eight of his previous fights go the distance, he might need to rely on a decision from the judges.
Trainer is yet to taste defeat since turning professional, stringing together four successive wins, and he looks a solid option at 4/21 to see off Yannick Bahati.
*All odds correct at time of writing.