LONDON – SEPT. 29, 2021 – Kicking off a mammoth month of outstanding BELLATOR MMA action, former three-time BELLATOR Welterweight Champion and current No. 1-ranked contender Douglas “The Phenom” Lima (32-9)will square off in a much-anticipated rematch against No. 2-ranked Michael “Venom” Page (19-1)in the main event of BELLATOR MMA 267: Lima vs MVP 2, Friday, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m. ET live on SHOWTIME from The SSE Arena, Wembley in London.

During their initial encounter as the co-feature of BELLATOR MMA 221 nearly two-and-half years ago on May 11, 2019, in Rosemont, Ill., Lima advanced to the final of the BELLATOR Welterweight World Grand Prix by scoring a devasting knockout over MVP at 35 seconds of the second round.

SHOWTIME will televise the phenomenal five-bout BELLATOR MMA 267: Lima vs MVP 2 main card live at 4 p.m. ET. Additionally, all eight preliminary fights will stream live three hours earlier at 1 p.m. ET on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV.

In the fantastic featherweight co-feature, Irish phenom and No. 5 contender Leah McCourt (5-1) hopes to run her unbeaten streak to six and continue her ascension to the top of the BELLATOR rankings when she takes on hard-hitting Jessica “The Black Widow” Borga (3-3) of Lakeland, Fla.

Here is what the fighters had to say on Wednesday, Sept. 29:

DOUGLAS LIMA: No. 1-ranked BELLATOR Welterweight Contender

Click HERE for Douglas’s full media day session

“I am expecting the same [as the first fight]. He (MVP) is very crafty, and he moves a lot. I expect him to stay on the outside more and not allow me to close the distance. But, at the end of the day, I see the same fighter as last time and I expect the same result.”

“I do not agree he (MVP) was winning the [first] fight. The only thing he did was that one punch.  I landed on him and was on top of him for the first round. I guess it is good for his mental [health] to convince himself he was winning, but I know how it was going, and I was winning. The same will happen Friday night.”

“This will not be the first time I fight someone on their home turf. To me, the cage is the same, and I am just focused on my opponent. Whether I get boos or cheers, the crowd never gets to me, but I am excited to fight in front of them. I have the cardio to go five rounds. This is a three rounder for the first time in a long time, which means I can push the pace more in this fight. I will be ready to go Friday night.”

MICHAEL “VENOM” PAGE: No. 2-ranked BELLATOR Welterweight Contender

Click HERE for Michael’s full media day session

“I have evolved, he (Lima) is stuck in his ways. Since we last fought, he has not done anything in his fights that shows me he is different or got better. On the other hand, I have evolved and changed my diet and training to become a completely new, faster, and better fighter.”

“I love striking and prefer that, but if I am not capable anywhere else, it takes away from my striking. If I get taken down and can’t get back up, then what does my striking do? I need to be well-rounded in order to be complete. I actually enjoy Jiu-Jitsu, though. It allows my creative personality to flourish.”

“My personality has always been quite petty. If someone gets me with a takedown, I must get you back. If it’s a submission, I have to get you back. And, in this case a loss, then I have to get you back. I am looking forward to getting this loss back and showing how much I have improved since our last fight.”

LEAH MCCOURT: No. 5-ranked BELLATOR Women’s Featherweight Contender

Click HERE for Leah’s full media day session

“Jessica (Borga) is a tough opponent. In female MMA, the record does not always dictate how good an opponent really is. She has a lot of excellent finishes and a very similar style to me. She is going to bring the best out of me. Even though it may be a tough fight, I know I will come out on top.”

“I am always just focused on the next fight. It is inevitable that I will get the title shot, so I am making sure I am the best I can possibly be when I get that opportunity. So, until then, I am focused on being the best me every time I fight.”

“Being in London makes my fight week so much better and so much more relaxed. I was supposed to fight in London in May, but it was cancelled due to the pandemic, so this is a dream. The crowd will be crazy due to the awesome main event, and I can’t wait to put on a show for them.”

JESSICA BORGA: BELLATOR Women’s Featherweight Contender

Click HERE for Jessica’s full media day session

“I have nothing to lose. Every time I fight, I try my hardest and put everything on the line. She (Leah McCourt) has posted some stuff on social media that was disrespectful, and I look forward to making her pay for that. I always respect my opponent, but I plan on defeating her Friday night.”

“Being the underdog doesn’t faze me at all. I have been the underdog my whole career and have overcome it every time. I am used to fighting people expecting to beat me. I have actually started feeding off that. I am going to come out ready and push the pace. I plan to be fast, accurate and smart.”

Click here for Luke Trainer’s full media day session

Click here for Robert Whiteford’s full media day session

Click here for Charlie Leary’s full media day session

BELLATOR MMA 267: LIMA VS. MVP 2 MAIN CARD:

SHOWTIME (U.S.) / BBC iPlayer (U.K.) / Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)

Friday, Oct. 1, 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT

Welterweight Main Event: No. 1 Douglas Lima (32-9) vs. No. 2 Michael Page (19-1)

Featherweight Bout: No. 5-ranked Contender Leah McCourt (5-1) vs. Jessica Borga (3-3)

Featherweight Bout: Robert Whiteford (16-4)vs. Andrew Fisher (18-8-1)

Light Heavyweight Bout: Luke Trainer (4-0) vs. Yannick Bahati (9-5, 1 NC)

Lightweight Bout: Yves Landu (16-8) vs. Tim Wilde (13-4)

BELLATOR MMA 267: LIMA VS. MVP 2 PRELIMINARY CARD:

BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV (US)

BBC iPlayer (UK) | Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)

Friday, Oct. 1, 1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT

Welterweight Bout: Lewis Long (18-6) vs. Michael Dubois (11-7)

Lightweight Bout: Kane Mousah (13-3) vs. Davy Gallon (18-7-2) 

Flyweight Bout: Elina Kallionidou (7-4) vs. Petra Castkova (4-3)

Lightweight Bout: Charlie Leary (17-11-1) vs. Benjamin Brander (13-8)

Welterweight Bout: Jack Grant (17-7) vs. Nathan Jones (13-10)

Featherweight Bout: Fabacary Diatta (7-0)vs. Nathan Rose (7-3)

Strawweight Bout: Chiara Penco (5-3) vs. Katharina Dalisda (5-2)

Bantamweight Bout: Khurshed Kakhorov (7-0) vs. Jair Junior (7-2)

** Card subject to change **

For more information on upcoming BELLATOR MMA events, visit BELLATOR.com. 

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About BELLATOR

BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, BELLATOR events take place in major cities worldwide and can be seen on television in over 160 countries to an available audience of over one billion people. In the United States, BELLATOR can be seen on SHOWTIME. BELLATOR is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant ViacomCBS, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About SHOWTIME

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc., owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME^®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL^™ and FLIX^®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND^®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL^™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND^®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME^®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME^®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS, and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Amazon, Apple^®, Google, LG Smart TVs, Oculus Go, Roku^®, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox One and PlayStation^®4. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Amazon’s Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, AT&T TV Now, FuboTV, Hulu, The Roku Channel, Sling TV and YouTube TV. Viewers can also watch on computers at Showtime.com. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV^®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com. 

LOS ANGELES – A previously announced BELLATOR MMA Light Heavyweight World Championship bout between Vadim Nemkov (14-2) and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson has been cancelled following the news that “Rumble” has been forced to withdraw from the bout due to an undisclosed illness.

As a result, official BELLATOR Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix alternate Julius Anglickas (10-1) has been called upon to fill-in for Johnson in the semifinal bout and will now challenge defending champion Nemkov on Saturday, Oct. 16 in the main event of BELLATOR 268: Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semifinals at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.

After earning the distinction of alternate in BELLATOR MMA’s Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix following a victory over Gregory Milliard at BELLATOR 257, the 30-year-old Lithuanian will now have the golden opportunity to showcase his skills on MMA’s biggest stage, win BELLATOR gold and move to the grand prix finals. Anglickas’ original opponent No. 10 ranked light heavyweight Karl Albrektsson (12-3) will now meet Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (18-6-1) during the preliminary card. Also, a bantamweight tilt between undefeated Jaylon Bates (3-0) and Raphael Montini de Lima (6-4, 1 NC) is official, along with a welterweight bout pitting Mukhamed Berkhamov (14-0) versus Jaleel Willis (15-2).

BELLATOR MMA: Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semifinals will be telecast live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The preliminary portion of the docket will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The card features a second grand prix semifinal between current BELLATOR Heavyweight World Champion Ryan Bader (28-6) and No. 2 ranked 205-pounder Corey Anderson (15-5)

Undefeated since joining forces with the Scott Coker-led promotion in 2019, the Anglickas has emerged as the No. 5 ranked fighter in the promotion’s stacked 205-pound weight class. Holding a professional record of 10-1 and currently sporting a nine-fight winning streak that began in 2016, the 30-year-old powerhouse is now in the running for the million-dollar grand prix prize. Team Fedor’s Vadim Nemkov most recently went five hard rounds with former champion Phil Davis, earning a unanimous decision victory en route to punching his ticket to the semifinals. Nemkov has been perfect in BELLATOR to this point, winning all six of his contests including three knockouts and a submission.

Updated schedule of BELLATOR MMA events

Fri. Oct. 1 // BELLATOR 267: Lima vs. MVP 2 //The SSE Arena, Wembley // London, England

Sat. Oct. 16 // BELLATOR 268: Nemkov vs. Anglickas // Footprint Center // Phoenix, AZ

Sat. Oct. 23 // BELLATOR 269: Fedor vs. Johnson // VTB Arena // Moscow, Russia

Fri. Nov. 5 // BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs. Mix // 3Arena // Dublin, Ireland

BELLATOR 268: Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semifinals Main Card:

SHOWTIME

10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT 

Light Heavyweight World Title Main Event: C-Vadim Nemkov (14-2) vs. #5-Julius Anglickas (10-1)

Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semifinal Bout: #1-Ryan Bader (28-6, 1 NC) vs. #2-Corey Anderson (15-5)

Lightweight Bout: #3-Benson Henderson (28-10) vs. Brent Primus (10-2)

Featherweight Bout: Henry Corrales (18-6) vs. Vladyslav Parubchenko (16-2)

Preliminary Card:

BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV

7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Light Heavyweight Bout: #10-Karl Albrektsson (12-3) vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (18-6-1)

Bantamweight Bout: Erik Perez (20-8) vs. Brett Johns (17-3)

Light Heavyweight Bout: Sullivan Cauley (1-0) vs. Deon Clash (1-0)

Lightweight Bout: Nick Browne (11-1) vs. Bobby Lee (12-6)

Middleweight Bout: Javier Torres (11-5, 1 NC) vs. Gregory Milliard (12-6)

Women’s Flyweight Bout: Sumiko Inaba (2-0) vs. Randi Field (2-0)

Lightweight Bout: Lance Gibson Jr. (4-0) vs. Raymond Pina (9-4)

Bantamweight Bout: Jaylon Bates (3-0) vs. Raphael Montini de Lima (6-4, 1 NC)

Welterweight Bout: Mukhamed Berkhamov (14-0) vs. Jaleel Willis (15-2)

Amateur Strawweight Bout: Maria Henderson (1-0) vs. Collette Santiago (0-1)

*Card subject to change.

Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

****

About BELLATOR

BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, BELLATOR events take place in major cities worldwide and can be seen on television in over 160 countries to an available audience of over one billion people. In the United States, BELLATOR can be seen on SHOWTIME. BELLATOR is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant ViacomCBS, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About SHOWTIME

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc., owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME^®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL^™ and FLIX^®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV^®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.