Scott Coker eyeing No. 1 contender fight between Michael Page and Neiman Gracie

Bellator president Scott Coker says Michael Page is potentially one fight away from a title shot.

Coker is open to the idea of Page (18-1 MMA, 14-1 BMMA) facing Neiman Gracie (10-1 MMA, 8-1 BMMA) in a title eliminator bout in the first quarter of 2021, where the winner gets a crack at Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima.

“When I think about MVP, you’re talking about one of the most talented fighters that I’ve ever seen,” Coker told MMA Junkie. “He’s so fast, so explosive and when I think about him honestly, I think about him and maybe Neiman Gracie fighting each other at some point and then maybe the winner can fight Douglas Lima. That’s kind of in my mind, what I’m thinking.”

Page’s lone loss in his career came to Lima in the Bellator welterweight grand prix in May 2019. He has since won four straight fights, with three coming by way of knockout.

He most recently went the distance with former Cage Warriors welterweight champ Ross Houston at Bellator 248, which wasn’t Page’s finest showing. “MVP” complained of the slippery canvas at the Accor Arena in Paris, France and Coker agreed that it likely affected his performance.

“I’m sure MVP had a lot of stuff in his arsenal that he wanted to do that he couldn’t do because of the canvas,” Coker said. “Originally, I thought it might be ring rust, but I don’t think so after talking to all the fighters that fought that night.”