Michael Page has said he’s “just a little disappointed” after Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos called him a “clown” for his Pokemon Go celebration.
Undefeated British fighter Page marked his Bellator London victory over Santos by throwing a Pokeball and pretending to catch his Brazilian opponent.
Little did he know at the time that his flying knee left the veteran in hospital with a fractured skull – in fact, he said he didn’t learn of the extent of the injury until the day after the fight.
#thebesthandsdown pic.twitter.com/3Bu0aj57uQ
— Michael Venom Page (@Michaelpage247) July 22, 2016
“I was a bit disappointed,” ‘Venom’ told The MMA Hour.
“[The celebration] is not something he was unclear about coming into the fight. Paying attention to me, watching me before, you know the package deal that it comes with – this is what i do.
“I’m not saying he has to enjoy it, but I think the statement didn’t have to come out that way.
“Celebrating is completely separate to the injury…and me caring about him as an individual and his career.”
Ed Mulholland/Getty Images
Page’s ‘Hands Down’ company donated $500 to the GoFundMe set up to contribute to Cyborg’s hospital bills, which at the time of writing has raised more than $24,000.
His victory in the welterweight bout brings his career MMA record to 11 wins from 11, with seven of those victories coming by way of knockout.
Remember to be alert at all times. Stay aware of your surroundings. #Bellator158 @Michaelpage247https://t.co/RZVZcMKmpP
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2016
He said the celebration was the idea of his brother, and that “The way I saw it in my head was the way it happened”
“It was weird because when we were talking about it we were laughing and saying ‘this could go big,'” he added.
“But when it happened, the response I got…I didn’t think it’d be that big, nowhere near. It’s blown up.”
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