MVP Got Served Up the First Defeat of His Career After Brazil’s Douglas Lima Landed a Massive KO to End the British Fighter’s Hopes of Winning Bellator’s Welterweight Grand Prix… 

With UFC 237 going down at the same time in Rio De Janeiro, it was easy to forget that Bellator had their own massive event going down at the same time in Rosemont, Illinois. It was a massive night for a number of reasons. The welterweight grand prix continued as Michael ‘Venom’ Page took on Douglas Lima for a place in the final against the winner of Rory MacDonald v Neiman Gracie.

Page came into this one with questions to answer. The flashy British striker has been heavily promoted by Bellator, but they’ve also been criticised because of his weak opponents up to this point. He did come through a very boring decision win against Paul Daley, but this was a massive step up in competition for him.

And it turned out to be too big. Lima proved his credentials as one of the toughest welterweights in the world by absolutely smashing out MVP with a stunning, brutal KO. Check it out below.

Goodnight

This fight went two rounds. You could argue that Page took the first simply because of greater activity. He was flashy but ineffective for most of the first. Then Lima was able to take him down but didn’t do much else for the rest of the round. Realistically it could have gone either way.

Lima showed just why he’s one of the greatest welterweights on the planet though. Once again ‘Venom’ Page came out trying to use his flashy, unpredictable style to unsettle his Brazilian opponent. It really didn’t work. Lima timed a perfect leg kick as MVP tried to unleash one to the body, and it sent the Englishman crashing to the floor.

Then the Brazilian unleashed a massive right hand to KO the British star who didn’t have time to cover up. It was absolutely brutal as he proved there are levels to this game.

Main Event

Elsewhere in the main event, Patricio Freire beat Michael Chandler after a controversial stoppage in the first round. He became a champ-champ as he added the lightweight belt to his featherweight strap. The stoppage came at the 61-second point of the first round.

A heavy shot definitely landed behind Chandler’s ear, followed by unanswered strikes on the ground. Then Chandler tried to get back to his feet as the referee intervened to stop the fight. The big question is whether or not the former champion was out cold. He didn’t cover up though and that’s what cost him.

Big Night

It’s clear that Bellator has definitely reached a new level. The US promotion is comfortably the second biggest in the western hemisphere and its grand prix format competitions are a good way to stimulate interest. Now that they’re also producing their own stars as well as UFC castoffs, they will be able to expand even further.

And that’s good for MMA.

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Darren

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