Michael Page and Paul Daley could finally throw down in a welterweight Grand Prix that Bellator MMA plans to launch in September.
September 29 is set to be a big night for Bellator MMA. In addition to previously announced bouts between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Wanderlei Silva, plus Gegard Mousasi vs. Rory MacDonald in a champ vs. champ fight, the promotion will launch a second Grand Prix on that night. This time out, it will be welterweight, with a number of top contenders involved. Among the names floated, per the L.A. Times, are former champion Douglas Lima, former champion Andrey Koreshkov, veteran striker Paul Daley, and the flashy Michael Page.
Like Bellator’s Heavyweight Grand Prix, the Welterweight Grand Prix will unfold across multiple events, rather than a one-night format. Another four combatants are expected to join, with a field of eight in total. The Grand Prix would keep the division active while Rory MacDonald challenges Gegard Mousasi for middleweight gold. The L.A. Times notes that MacDonald could possibly join the field in 2019, meaning the champion could actually take part.
Bellator’s World Heavyweight Grand Prix has brought a spark to the heavyweight division, and taken some of the focus off the UFC’s big men. That said, one of the main critcisms of the tournament has been its spread out format. It doesn’t look like there will be any changes with the 170lb edition, however.
Of the four men mentioned by name, the match-ups to make are clearly Lima vs. Koreshkov in a trilogy fight, and a meeting between rivals Daley and Page, a fight that fans have been teased with for over a year now.
