MMA veteran Paul Daley says he has bigger fish to fry than ‘MVP’.
A potential bout between Paul Daley and Michael Page is probably on everyone’s Christmas wishlist, but ‘Semtex’ isn’t interested.
Daley and MVP, both dynamic strikers hailing from England, compete in Bellator’s welterweight division and, by all means, could soon cross paths.
Page, an undefeated prospect with some of the flashiest moves in the sport, set social media on fire with his stunning knockout at Bellator 158. The London-based talent knocked out Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos with a flying knee and rolled a pokemon ball at him in the post-fight celebration.
Daley, though, whose five-fight win streak came to an end against Douglas Lima on the same night, doesn’t think Page is all that.
The former UFC competitor believes MVP is talented but says he lacks experience.
"Would Floyd Mayweather ever consider a fight with Adrien Broner?" Daley told MMA Fighting, per Marc Raimondi. "He wouldn't because he seems himself in a completely different league, though they're similar characters. And that's how I see it. He's super talented, as is Adrien Broner, but I've been in this sport for a long time and I've had some great victories and I've been in some great fights. And there's more to come. For me, Michael Page just has to get that experience."
Although Page has only been competing in MMA since 2012, the 29-year-old has been practising martial arts his entire life. His mother and father, Curtis Page Pauline Reece, were both Kung Fu practitioners and have embedded martial arts into Page’s life since he was a young boy.
Daley, who will look to rebound against Derek Anderson tomorrow night at Bellator 163, believes MVP is over hyped and has his sights set on the more established contenders in the division.
"People are pumping him up with sponsored Facebook and social media posts, pumping his views up and pumping his name up and stuff like that," Daley said. "For me, his name doesn't hold that much weight. He hasn't been in there with anybody yet. Like a 50-year-old Cyborg is the biggest name that he's been in there with and he did what we expected him to do against an opponent like that."
"We're not in the same bracket," Daley said. "I've proved my worth to the sport. And I think he just needs to establish himself a little bit more. He's a good fighter with a lot of potential. I just think we need to see more of him. That's it."
Page will take on Fernando Gonzalez on Nov. 19 at Bellator 165 and, if victorious, could face Daley in his next bout. Bellator’s matchmaking has been criticized and the promotion has been accused of giving MVP an easy ride. A potential bout with Daley, however, would ease those criticisms and prove to be one of the most hyped bouts in the welterweight division.