Longtime Bellator Competitor Michael Page Announces Free Agency

After a run with Bellator MMA that began more than a decade ago, Michael Page will get a chance to test the free agent waters.

Page announced Monday on "The MMA Hour" that his contract with the California-based promotion has expired. Bellator still retains matching rights, but the 36-year-old welterweight is interested exploring his options, which could include returns to boxing or bare knuckle boxing. “Venom” also plans on attending this Saturday’s UFC event at the O2 Arena in London. Sherdog.com subsequently confirmed with a Bellator official that Page is indeed a free agent.

“I think it’s time for me to just explore what else is out there,” Page aid. “It doesn’t mean I’m not going to go back with Bellator. It just means I want to see what other people think of ‘MVP.’”

Page was victorious in 17 of 19 Bellator appearances since making his debut with the organization in March 2013. His record includes wins over the likes of Douglas Lima, Paul Daley, Derek Anderson, David Rickels and Evangelista Santos. Most recently, the flashy British striker scored a 26-second TKO win against Goiti Yamauchi at Bellator 292 this past March. Prior to that, Page dropped a five-round split decision to Logan Storley in an interim welterweight title bout at Bellator 281.

The London Shootfighters represntative admitted that his contract expiration came as something of a surprise because the promotion is usually on top of things in that regard.

They’re normally a lot sharper on that, and even usually when you’ve still got a few fights left, they’re already talking about what the progression is,” Page said. “So I think there’s a lot going on in the back office with their potential transition as well, and new owners, and so on and so forth.

“So yeah, I definitely feel like they kind of missed something there, but I think things happen for a reason in my opinion. I think it all happened for me to be able to have this space now and to make this decision, to actually say to myself, ‘OK cool, let me explore the waters in the MMA ocean and see see what bites.”