Top UK welterweight Michael ‘Venom’ Page has been given a new opponent for Bellator 158 in veteran powerhouse Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos, who steps in for an injured Fernando Gonzales.
The card is set to take place in Page’s native England on July 16th.
Page is currently undefeated in pro MMA at 10-0. He most recently beat Jeremie Holloway via submission in April – his sixth Bellator win. Santos, meanwhile, pulled off an incredible 30-second submission over highly-touted Brennan Ward in April, but was stopped by Saad Awad via TKO when he made a quick turnaround to face the American less than one month later.
In other Bellator 158 replacement opponent news, British favorite Paul Daley will now face former 170lb champ Douglas Lima after Josh Koscheck pulled out due to injury.
The card was originally scheduled to be headlined by a rematch between James Thompson and Kevin ‘Kimbo Slice’ Ferguson. However, Kimbo tragically passed away at just 42 years old earlier this week. A replacement main event bout is expected to be announced very soon. Current rumors suggest former UFC 205lb champion Tito Ortiz could be lined up to fill the slot in a heavyweight or catchweight bout, though nothing is confirmed.
Bellator 158 takes place at the O2 Arena in London, England.