DOUGLAS LIMA is taking on British fighter Michael Page in a long-awaited rematch at Bellator 267.
The pair fought in Bellator 221 back in May 2019 and are renewing their hostilities at SSE Arena, Wembley.
Elsewhere, British MMA fans are being well served with Northern Ireland's Leah McCourt facing American Jessica Borga before the main event.
- TV/ live stream: BBC iPlayer (FREE)/ ShowTime (US)
- Main event time: Set for 10.30pm approx
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- Chisanga Malata
TITLE SHOT U-TURN
After initially setting his sights on welterweight gold, Michael 'Venom' Page has shifted his focus to a trilogy fight with Douglas Lima.
He said: "I've told everybody from the beginning, I feel like nobody really listens, I don't care about the title.
"It's a belt. How many people, titleholders, are as popular as I am?"
MVP added: "I won, but I didn't get to prove what I wanted to prove.
"Which is make his eyes roll to the back of his head, just knocked the f**k out. I know I can do it."
- Chisanga Malata
TITLE ASPIRATIONS
Michael Page has set his sights on Bellator welterweight gold.
- Chisanga Malata
ROBBERY?
Some MMA fans believe former welterweight champ Douglas Lima was robbed of a victory against MVP.
And the stats may lend some truth to that statement.
- Chisanga Malata
REVENGE FOR MVP
Michael Venom Page defeats Douglas Lima viavia split decision.
The judges scored the contest28-29, 29-28, 29-28 in Page's favour.
Redemption for the Brit.
- Chisanga Malata
TIGHT ONE TO CALL
I've got it 29-28 to Page, but I could see why the judges may score it differently.
We'll soon see how they scored it.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND THREE
Page leads with another side kick and is opting to stay at range.
Lima is showing no urgency, despite being two rounds down.
A left hand from Lima drops Page. But Page responds with a nasty leaping elbow seconds later.
Lima shoots for a takedown and grounds the fight. Hee's in half guard and looking to pass.
Page has done well to tie Lima up. But the former champ breaks free and lands a nice shot.
A nasty elbow lands for Lima from inside the guard. Page holds on until the final buzzer.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND TWO
Page opens up with a jumping front kick to the body. He tries to rush in with a straight right but Lima sees it coming.
Hard leg kick lands for Lima. Page is still light on his feet and being playful with his jab.
Lima telegraphs a lead hook and Page easily glides out. of the way.
Page fires a straight right and almost eats the same leg kick that spelt the end of their first fight.
An overhand right from page nearly finds it's mark.
Hard, hard body kick from Lima.
Page drops Lima with another leaping right hand. Two rounds in the bank for the Londoner.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND ONE
Page adopts his usual playful and light stance, bouncing on his feet and measuring the former champ.
Lima gets DROPPED with the first straight right from MVP and the arena erupts.
That shot woke up Lima, who is now stalking MVP.
Another big straight right lands for page and rocks Lima.
Page throws a wild spinning kick that narrowly misses the target. He tries another seconds later and gets taken down.
Page has scooted his back to the to the cage and is trying to wall walk,
Page has done well to stop all but one of Lima's strike attempts from top position.
The crowd yells 'stand them up'.
Page ends the round on his back but that's one in the bank for him.
- Chisanga Malata
MAIN EVENT TIME
This is what we've been waiting for, folks,. Michael 'Venom' Page vs Douglas Lima is about to go down.
Will it be repeat for Lima or revenge for MVP?
We'll soon find out.
- Chisanga Malata
LEAH GETS THE NOD
Leah McCourt defeats Jessica Borga via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the contest 29-28 in her favour.
No complaints with those scorecards.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND THREE
McCourt is circling on the outside and looking to strike from distance. She's trying to find a home for her counter right but is wide of the mark on multiple occasions.
But a beautiful front kick up the middle finds it's target and catches a ducking Borga right on the chin.
McCourt is continuing to invest in kicks to the body but is also mixing in some to the legs.
The tide seems to have changed in terms of pressure, with Borga leading the dance and McCourt on the backfoot.
They go the distance. I've got McCourt up by two rounds to one.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND TWO
McCourt opens the round with a nice one-two straight down the pipe. She's getting confident in throwing that right hand.
But she better watch out for Borga's counter right. Borga has a leg kick caught and is taken down.
McCourt is in side control looking to improve her position. She opts to stand back up.
Leah is upping the pace but is struggling to find a home for her punches.
A good right hand lands for Borga, who, despite being visibly tired, is still in this.
McCourt catches another kick and briefly grounds the fight – opting to return to her feet.
The buzzer goes. I've got McCourt up by two.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND ONE
McCourt gets clinched up early by the American and they're jockeying for position on the fence.
McCourt reverses position and lands some nice knees up to the body in the clinch.
Borga is doing well to stuff McCourts attempts to ground. But as I say that she gets swept and is now on her back.
McCourt is struggling to pass the guard and is having to fend off kimura attempts.
The Curse slips out and is back to her feet. Nice work with the jab from the Northern Irishwoman.
McCourt gets double underhooks against Borga and pushes her against the fence. More knees to the body.
They go to the ground and Borga attempts another kimura. McCourt fends it off before the end of the round.
- Chisanga Malata
CO-MAIN EVENT TIME
Up next is the co-main event of the evening between Leah McCourt and Jessica Borga.
Despite being 3-3, Borga will be a step up in class for Northern Ireland's McCourt.
Lets see if she's up to the challenge.
- Chisanga Malata
UNFORTUNATE ENDING
Rob Whiteford's clash with Andrew Fisher ends in a no contest due to an unfortunate eye poke from Fisher.
Whiteford was left in agony and unable to continue.
Hopefully there isn't any serious damage to the eye of the Hammer and they can get this one re-booked.
- Chisanga Malata
IT'S OVER!
Luke Trainer defeats Yannick Bahati via second-round TKO. Stellar, stellar victory over the hulking bruiser.
That's 5-0 for 'The Gent', who is really looking like a prospect to watch out for.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND TWO
Bahati looks to have recovered from those shots before the buzzer but is being tentative with his strikes.
Trainer is starting to pick him apart and avoid the slow and telegraphed punches coming his way.
Beautiful head kick lands for Trainer, who follows up with a nice right hand.
But Bahati briefly turns the tide with a beautiful spinning back fist.
But as I say that, Trainer hurts him.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND ONE
Bahati lands a heavy leg kick that echoes throughout the arena.
Trainer, however, isn't phased by these early power strikes and is staying calm.
Head kick attempt from Yannick is caught by Trainer and he's now on his back.
Trainer is looking to pass guard and is dropping heavy strikes as he transitions.
Stevenage's Trainer is doing a stellar job of holding down the big man, who may be tiring.
And they're' back to their feet.
Trainer hurts Bahati right before the end of the round. What a corker.
- Chisanga Malata
LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHTS UP NEXT
We move to the 205lb division for a showdown between Luke Trainer and Yannick Bahati.
Two big boys – who have heavy, heavy hands – for the weight. I don't see this going the distance.
- Chisanga Malata
MAIN EVENTERS IN THE BUILDING
Both Douglas Lima and Michael 'Venom' Page are in the building.
Not long until they renew their rivalry two-and-a-half years after their first explosive clash.
- Chisanga Malata
WILDE GETS THE NOD
Tim Wilde defeats Yves Landu via unanimous decision, with the judges scoring it 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 in his favour.
Fully deserved victory for Wilde, who was successful on his return after a two-year hiatus.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND THREE
Wilde is keeping up with the good body work early doors, repeatedly finding a home for his straight right.
Landu is continuing to stay on the back foot and counter.
The Frenchman attempts a takedown but sees his effort stuffed.
Wilde drops Landu with a big straight right to the body but eats an accidental kick to the groin.
The Wolverhampton warrior turns it on after the restart.
Buzzer goes. Clear win for Wilde, IMO.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND TWO
Landu looks to punish Wilde's legs early and has success with two leg kicks.
Wilde is staying composed and is doing well to mix up strikes to the head and the body.
Landu misses with a telegraphed one-two and eats a beautiful counter combination for his efforts.
Landu misses with an overstretched right hand and gets wobbled by a backfist.
The Frenchman is now on his bike and seem happy to stay on the back foot until the end of the round.
Buzzer goes.
Another round in the bank for Wilde.
- Chisanga Malata
ROUND ONE
Landu comes out swinging but quickly find himself on the receiving end of some counters from Wilde.
Wilde lands a head kick but is briefly taken down.
Landu lands a big right hand after eating a heavy leg kick.
Wilde, unlike his name suggests, is being crisp with his striking – something that can't be said of Landu.
Landu tries a superman punch off the cage and follows up with a left high kick. Both strikes are wide of the mark, though.
The round ends.
10-9 Wilde, in my opinion.
- Chisanga Malata
LIGHTWEIGHTS ON DECK
A lightweight showdown between Tim Wilde and Yves Landu will kick off the main portion of the PPV card.
Landu has come dancing to the cage with a bucket hat and shorts that make him look as if he's going on his holidays.
But make no mistake about it, the man can fight.
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