Michael Page out, Gilbert Smith in vs. Fernando Gonzalez at Bellator 151
There will be no "MVP" at Bellator 151.
Michael Page is out of his fight with Fernando Gonzalez on the March 4 card at World WinStar Casino in Thackerville, Okla., MMA Fighting confirmed with Bellator officials Tuesday. MMAjunkie was the first to report the news. Bellator will not disclose the reason why Page has been removed from the fight.
The popular, highlight-reel producing Page (9-0) was set to take a step up in competition against Gonzalez. The Brit has four knockouts in five Bellator wins.
Gonzalez (24-13) has won four straight in Bellator and showed his impressive toughness in a hard-fought decision loss to Paul Daley in a kickboxing match at Bellator MMA: Dynamite 1 in September. Smith (12-4), the former RFA welterweight champion, will be making his Bellator debut. The Ultimate Fighter alum has won four of his last five fights, three of them via finish.
Gonzalez vs. Smith will be the co-main event of the card. Also confirmed for Bellator 151 is a bantamweight bout between TUF alum Sirwan Kakai and Joe Taimanglo.
Bellator 151 is headlined by a bantamweight bout between former two-division champion Joe Warren and Darrion Caldwell.