Michael Page issues gracious statement after KO loss to Douglas Lima

On Saturday night, on the main card of the stacked Bellator 221 event on DAZN, former welterweight champ Douglas Lima stepped into the cage with undefeated British striking specialist Michael Page. The two men were looking to advance to the second round of the action-packed Bellator welterweight Grand Prix and edge closer to championship glory.

Though Page had some success early, Douglas Lima ended up winning this fight in absolutely jaw-dropping fashion, reducing the Brit to a pile of rubble with an uppercut in the second round.

Speaking on Instagram early on Sunday morning, Michael Page issued a quick statement on this first setback of his professional mixed martial arts career. Though he’s widely known for his confident — often outright cocky — attitude, he’s being the picture of class in defeat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxXOy7Vl3xO/

“If I had to take 1 L in my career I’m glad it was to this warrior @phenomlima an amazing martial artist and person. 
I felt like I was in control the whole fight, made a mistake by standing up incorrectly and at this level it only takes 1 bad choice, and I paid for it.

But im still smiling and even more motivated to get back in the cage and correct this mistake.

Thank you to everyone that have sent such positive messages and another thank you to the haters fuelling my drive just like Arnold Schwarzenegger “I’ll be back” – Michael Page on Instagram.

What do you think the future holds for Page after Bellator 221? How do you think the British knockout artist will rebound from this first taste of defeat? Join the conversation in the comments section!

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 5/12/2019.