Michael Page will make a quick turnaround when he joins Bellator Japan to take on Shinsho Anzai.
Bellator’s trip to the land of the rising sun just got a little more star power. Early Saturday, the promotion announced that British striker Michael Page (16-1) would join the Bellator Japan card against UFC vet Shinsho Anzai (11-3). The fight will be contested at a 173lb catchweight.
🚨FIGHT NEWS🚨
MVP returns to the cage to take on @Shinsho_Anzai in Japan LIVE & FREE on @ParamountNet, December 28th!#Bellator237
ベラトール日本大会にマイケル・ペイジが参戦！12月29日、さいたまスーパーアリーナでの安西信昌との試合を@DAZN_USAにてライブ配信。#ベラトール pic.twitter.com/P9WLDkyacL
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 7, 2019
It’s a quick turnaround for Michael ‘Venom’ Page. MVP last fought on November 23, making short work of short-notice replacement Giovanni Melillo at Bellator London. Melillo had stepped in to replace original opponent Derek Anderson, who withdrew from the card less than two weeks out from the bout.
Page has won two straight since suffering his first career defeat at the hands of Douglas Lima during Bellator’s welterweight grand prix earlier this year. Notably, this will be the former kickboxer’s fifth fight of 2019, the highest pace he’s fought his entire MMA career. However, quality of competition has been a question his last couple of fights. The scrap against Anzai, who went 2-2 in the octagon, should at least quell those complaints somewhat.
Anzai defeated Roger Zapata and Luke Jumeau during his UFC stint, while falling to Alberto Mina and Jake Matthews. The 33-year old is a former Pancrase middleweight champion who has fought as high up as light heavyweight. His last fight came in December, when he won a technical decision against Yoichiro Sato at DEEP 91 Impact.
Bellator Japan (Bellator 237) takes place December 29 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event airs live in North America on the Paramount Network on December 28 (due to the time difference).
