Relive the Bellator 281 main event in London with this original behind-the-scenes video content.
LONDON – Bellator made its return to England this past Friday for Bellator 281, and MMA Junkie got a behind the scenes look at the main event.
Headlining the card was U.K.’s own [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag], who faced [autotag]Logan Storley[/autotag] for the interim welterweight title from The SSE Arena, Wembley.
MMA Junkie was “On the Ground” for the event, and got an inside look at Page (22-2 MMA, 16-2 BMMA) on the day of his fight and the aftermath of his split decision loss to Storley (14-1 MMA, 9-1 BMMA).
Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”
Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.
On Episode 3,260, the guys look back at UFC on ESPN 36 and Bellator 281 from this past weekend, including the scoring of Logan Storley’s win over Michael Pahe, taking a hard look at Lyoto Machida, Amanda Ribas’ loss, and more. Plus, what do we think of Tony Ferguson’s first interview wince UFC 274 with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn? Tune in!
Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.
“All I have to do is fix one thing in my game and I become the most dangerous person in MMA.”
[autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] is taking his Bellator 281 main event loss to Logan Storley as a critical part of his growth process as an MMA fighter.
Page (20-2 MMA, 16-2 BMMA) came out on the wrong end of a split decision against Storley (14-1 MMA, 9-1 BMMA) in Friday’s interim welterweight title headliner in London. It was a razor-thin fight where “MVP” was forced into defensive grappling positions between rare opportunities to get off his dangerous striking.
Page can’t dispute that Storley inflicted minimal damage and barely threatened with submissions. However, the Brit said he takes responsibility for not finding a way to lead the dance and get the win.
“I always like to put as much things that’s happened on myself,” Page told MMA Junkie on Sunday. “For me, I need to be better at not being held down. There’s a few things I feel I could’ve done in retrospect better, a few decisions I could’ve made and I could’ve guaranteed me the win. But at the same time, it’s also weirdly exciting for me because it’s like, all I have to do is fix one thing in my game and I become the most dangerous person in MMA. That’s how I see it. People do not want to get back in front of me while I’m doing what I do. So it’s kind of exciting. I’m ready to get straight back to work.”
Over the course of five rounds, Storley managed to secure eight of his 16 takedown attempts, according to Bellator-tracked stats. Additionally, Page landed 104 total strikes as opposed to 72 from Storley.
After the event, Bellator president Scott Coker said he disagreed with the decision and scored the fight for Page. Moreover, he chastised Storley’s grappling-heavy approach as “not MMA.”
Page was not willing to be so harsh on Storley. He understands this is the type of opponent that exists in this sport, and he’s learned to accept it. That doesn’t mean Page wouldn’t make changes to how fights are scored if he how the power, but under the current unified rules, it’s the reality.
“I understand (Coker’s) view, but I’m also in a game where grappling is a big thing, wrestling is a big thing,” Page said. “It’s difficult for me to then turn around and be annoyed by grappling. I think the wrestling element of things should be a tool to create more damage and try to win a fight, not be something that allows you to survive a fight. I definitely don’t feel you should win that way, but at the same time, it is part of the game.
“I do think there’s too many grey areas in the sport, which is why one referee can see something so different from another referee watching exactly the same thing. It’s definitely something I think the sport in general needs to fix, as far as what is more important during a fight. But I definitely came to win, and I do believe he kind of came to survive. I understand why people feel the way they feel.”
[lawrence-related id=2546721,2546669]
Although the Bellator 281 main event will not land on any Fight of the Year lists, Page said it’s not an experience he wants to forget and move on from. He fell short of a Bellator title for the second time, and that doesn’t sit well with him. It was only his second loss in MMA competition, too, and just like when he was beaten by Douglas Lima, it’s a defeat he wants to avenge down the line.
“I’m a very petty person,” Page said. “He’s won, but in not in any kind of spectacular fashion. I’ve legit had harder spars. The reason I say it that way, is because physically I don’t have a bruise, I don’t have a sore, I don’t have an ache. Anything. It doesn’t even feel like I’ve had a five-round fight. That’s probably the most frustrating thing about it, is losing in way where, I know for a fact I could go into a fight this weekend and feel fine and be good to go. I know he couldn’t say the same. It’s weird that he’s won the fight. … I want to get it back, so I’m going to be pushing, working, putting on more fights until I’m able to get back to that position.”
Page said he intends to go back to training as soon as possible to shore up the holes in his game. He thinks he’s on the cusp of a turning point that would elevate his game to another level, and said that should be concerning to every 170-pound fighter on the planet.
“The quicker I get to that level where I’m able to nullify them trying to nullify me, the more problematic I’ll be,” Page said. “Then I can be ‘MVP’ the majority of the fight, and that is a problem for every person. I don’t care what organization. Any person that is in front of me at my weight, I’m destroying them.
Fabian Edwards came into Bellator 281 with a chip on his shoulder and he delivered.
LONDON – [autotag]Fabian Edwards[/autotag] came into Bellator 281 with a chip on his shoulder and he delivered.
Edwards (10-2 MMA, 5-2 BMMA) needed just over three minutes to knock out Lyoto Machida in the co-main event Friday at OVO Arena Wembley in London, snapping a two-fight losing skid.
In his pre-fight interview, Edwards stated that he didn’t want to hear any excuses when he stops Machida and the formerly unbeaten middleweight was keen to remind everyone of the run he was on before tasting defeat.
“You lose one or two fights and people think you’re finished,” Edwards told MMA Junkie post-fight at Bellator 281. “That, for me, was to go in there and prove that I am still ‘Mr. Tasty Shots’ and that’s what I’ve done tonight. He fought Bader and Mousasi, and he fought Davis, and none of them guys could finish him. I done that in one round so what does that say about my skills?”
An elated Leon Edwards jumps on the cage to celebrate with his brother Fabian who just knocked out Lyoto Machida in the first round. #Bellator281pic.twitter.com/Cnt4S6HcHZ
Edwards’ finishing sequence started with an elbow, where he was able to wobble Machida while breaking off the clinch. He followed that up with a barrage before knocking out the former UFC light heavyweight champion out cold.
“I envisioned that I would dominate and that’s being honest,” Edwards said. “I thought I could finish him, but I also envisioned that I’d be able to dominate for the whole 15 minutes and that’s what I was ready for. I was ready to go in there and walk out with half my face hanging off but with a win because I said all week by any means necessary I’m winning that fight and I done that.”
Scott Coker disagrees with the judges’ scorecards for the Bellator 281 headliner.
LONDON – Scott Coker disagrees with the judges’ scorecards for the Bellator 281 headliner.
[autotag]Logan Storley[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 9-1 BMMA) defeated [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] (20-2 MMA, 16-2 BMMA) Friday at OVO Arena Wembley in London, capturing the interim welterweight title by using a heavy grapple approach.
It was a classic striker versus grappler matchup, where Page had success on the feet, but Storley managed to take him down repeatedly and hold him on the canvas. Coker was rather critical of Storley’s performance and didn’t think he did enough to win the fight.
“Honestly I thought that MVP won that fight,” Coker told MMA Junkie post-fight at Bellator 281. “I was talking to my guys back home and they go, ‘Look it’s close, but we think MVP won,’ and I said why do you say that? and they said, ‘Because half the round, he was striking. The other half, you can’t just lay on somebody.’ You’re not doing any damage, you’re not getting closer to a submission, you’re not creating any threat. You’re just laying on somebody and to me, that’s not MMA.”
Coker lauded Storley for his wrestling ability, but thinks he has many areas to work on in order to become a more well-rounded fighter.
“I think Logan has some improvements to do because you can’t just lay on somebody and think you’re gonna win and score points because that’s not MMA, that’s wrestling,” Coker said. “So to me, it’s if you’re gonna wrestle, I think you have to continue the wrestling and you have to continue to either try to submit or ground and pound or strike. There’s a difference between what you see on the wrestling mat and what you see in the cage.
“So to me all these fighters, not just what you saw tonight but they’re at the very highest level at what they do, but they owe it to themselves, they owe it to the audience, they owe it to the fans that they have to continue to get better at the disciplines that they’re not strong in and that’s what I would tell Logan if he was here – ‘Hey, you’re a great wrestler. Now it’s time for you to be a great striker, a great submission fighter, and get your submission game together and it has to be more than just wrestle somebody.”
Check out these photos from Logan Storley vs. Michael Page for the vacant interim welterweight title at Bellator 281.
Check out these photos from Logan Storley’s split decision victory over Michael “Venom” Page to claim the vacant interim welterweight title at Bellator 281 at SSE Arena in London. (Photos courtesy of Bellator MMA)
Paul Daley may have been down as Round 2 was coming to a close at Bellator 281, but he remained patient.
LONDON – [autotag]Paul Daley[/autotag] may have been down as Round 2 was coming to a close at Bellator 281, but he remained patient.
Daley (44-18-2 MMA, 9-6 BMMA) had his back taken by Wendell Giacomo in Round 1 of their main card bout Friday at OVO Arena Wembley in London and found himself on the mat once more in Round 2.
But with a minute left in the second round, Daley decided he had enough and was able to disengage from Giacomo, who was visibly starting to slow down. Daley fully capitalized and unleashed a flurry which resulted in a brutal walk-off right hook knockout, sending the fans into a frenzy.
Despite the rollercoaster of emotions from the fans as they witnessed him compete for the last time, Daley was not going to accept anything but a monumental send-off.
“I was comfortable, I never felt in danger,” Daley told MMA Junkie post-fight at Bellator 281. “At one stage the crowd in the second the crowd went silent when his hand went under my chin and I was like, ‘I’m cool people, just chill,’ and then I got up and managed to reverse position, but I didn’t feel in danger.
“I could feel he was tiring, I was just sort of like biding my time. It does get frustrating because you can hear the crowd, ‘Get up, get up.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah I’m f*cking trying to get up,’ but yeah I was just biding my time, I got up and reversed position and got the job done.”
Daley was extremely emotional after the finish and to make the walk for the final time in front of his home crowd capped off an incredible career for the British MMA pioneer.
“I just want to be remembered for moments like this, getting the crowd off their feet, knocking someone out and giving people when they leave here and go back home, they’ve got talking points and I can guarantee you that’s gonna be one of the talking points and that’s what it’s about. We’re entertainers, I’ve entertained, they’ve got good memories, and I’m happy.”
He continued, “I didn’t think I was going to make it to the cage, but in my head I thought I was gonna break down before I even got in the cage so I’m quite happy I made it to the cage to actually compete without crying so yeah it was always gonna happen. I’ve had a long career and I’ve had some spectacular moments and it was a great way to end it.”
Check out these photos from Bellator 281 which took place at SSE Arena in London.
Check out these photos from Bellator 281 which took place at SEE Arena in London. (Photos courtesy of Bellator MMA)
Oct 9, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) during warmups before the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Patriots won 33-13. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2019; Tucson, AZ, USA; Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) is stopped by Arizona Wildcats defenders during the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2018; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins running back Anthony McFarland (5) runs the ball against Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Avery Young (20) at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor (23) makes a catch against the Oregon Ducks in the third quarter during the 106th Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2020; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Team East running back Rico Dowdle (35) runs the ball as Team West safety Jordan Glasgow (29) defends during the second quarter at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
The Bellator 281 main event likely won’t be winning Fight of the Year.
[autotag]Logan Storley[/autotag] is the interim Bellator welterweight champion whether you like it or not.
In the Bellator 281 main event, Storley (14-1 MMA, 9-1 BMMA) utilized his wrestling for the duration of five rounds en route to a split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46) over [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] (20-2 MMA, 16-2 BMMA).
The decision came much to the disapproval of the London crowd at O2 Arena, who showered Storley with boos upon the official reading from ring announcer Michael C. Williams.
“Don’t boo me,” Storley said in his in-cage interview. “Don’t boo me for winning. I’ll see you on the way out.”
The fight overall was lackluster and grindy overall. Storley controlled Page for much of the five rounds, but was unable to muster up much significant damage, nor did he attempt a single submission. Page, meanwhile, landed isolated punches as he dipped in and out in his vintage, funky manner.
— Bellator Public Relations (@BellatorPR) May 13, 2022
The interim title was implemented due to the absence of undisputed titleholder Yaroslav Amosov, who joined the Ukraine military to defend his country from the Russian invasion. His timeline for return is unclear.
After the bout, Storley referenced a rumored bout between Douglas Lima and Jason Jackson as the fight he thinks will be a No. 1 contender bout should Amosov not be ready to return in the near future.
With the victory, Storley enters a three-fight winning streak. His only career loss came to Amosov via split decision at Bellator 252 in November 2020. The bout was a grueling, grapple-heavy affair with both men visibly tired at its end.
With the defeat, Page loses for the second time in his professional career. The defeat snaps a six-fight winning streak that dates back to his only other pro loss: a knockout suffered against Douglas Lima in May 2019.
The up-to-the-minute Bellator 281 results include:
Logan Storley def. Michael Page via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46) – for interim welterweight title
In the Bellator 281 co-main event, Fabian Edwards snatched Lyoto Machida’s consciousness – and also the biggest win of his career to date.
If [autotag]Fabian Edwards[/autotag] didn’t have a marquee victory before Bellator 281, he certainly has one now.
In the co-main event Friday at O2 Arena in London, Edwards (10-2 MMA, 5-2 BMMA) stunned, dropped, and knocked unconscious former UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Lyoto Machida[/autotag] (26-12 MMA, 2-4 BMMA). The stoppage occurred at the 3:18 mark of Round 1.
The fight started out with the classic methodical pacing that comes with a typical Machida fight, but Edwards quickly woke up his home country arena when he connected with a short elbow upon exit of the clinch. The shot visibly wobbled Machida, who backpedaled but could not escape.
Edwards pushed forward and hurled more punches. A left hook sent Machida to the canvas, where he was met with follow-up punches that knocked the lights out. Machida was down for a moderate amount of time, with his eyes eerily open but no one was home.
An elated Leon Edwards jumps on the cage to celebrate with his brother Fabian who just knocked out Lyoto Machida in the first round. #Bellator281pic.twitter.com/Cnt4S6HcHZ
With the win, Edwards snaps a two-fight losing skid in his first bout since a May 2021 loss to Austin Vanderford. As for Machida, he now has lost four fights in a row. Bellator 281 was the final bout on his current promotional agreement. His future is uncertain.
The up-to-the-minute Bellator 281 results include:
