Giovanni Melillo Steps Up to Face Michael ‘Venom’ Page at Bellator London

BREAKING

As revealed by @standardsport, @Michaelpage247 has a new opponent for #BellatonLondon on Nov. 23rd following the withdrawal of Derek Anderson. https://t.co/sIsoZfkTBo

— Bellator Europe (@Bellator_Europe) November 15, 2019

Michael Page has found a new opponent for the main event at Bellator London next week.

Italy's Giovanni Melillo (13-4) has stepped up to replace Derek Anderson, who pulled out of the contest last week due to an undisclosed injury. The two will come to blows at Bellator London, which will go down at the SSE Arena in London on Nov. 23.

For Melillo, this will be his first foray under the Bellator MMA banner. He is coming off a unanimous decision victory over one-time Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor Will Chope. Melillo's biggest win in his career to date is his highlight-reel KO over Mohsen Bahari at Cage Warriors 83 in 2017. In addition to Cage Warriors Fighting Championship, Melillo has fought for several premier European organizations including Venator Fighting Championship, Superior FC and Absolute Championship Akhmat.

In his last fight, "Venom" (15-1) finished Richard Kiely in the opening stanza of their Bellator 227 encounter. Prior to that, "MVP" tasted defeat for the first time in his career when Douglas Lima knocked him out 35 seconds into Round 2 at Bellator 221. Before the loss, he was on a 14-bout winning streak.

On the same bill, Chris Bungard will now face Bellator newcomer Benjamin Brander after Mario Saeed was forced to pull out of the fight.