Bellator 281 was a pretty big card for the promotion.
After five exhausting rounds, Michael Venom Page was defeated by American Logan Storley for the interim Bellator welterweight title.
Meanwhile, inside Wembley Arena, Daley and Edwards celebrated stunning stoppage victories.
Daley received a hero’s welcome when he fought for the final time in his 19-year, 64-bout career.
After dominating the first two rounds, late-replacement opponent Wendell Giacamo threatened to spoil the party. However, the pair traded blows against the cage, and Daley scored a classic knockout.
After a left hook that just missed the mark, his follow-up right hook landed right on the button. The strike knocked Giacamo out. It provided an emotional Daley with the perfect send-off in the venue where he began and ended his career.
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After the bout, Daley gave a touching retirement speech.
He said, ”It’s amazing, you know. It’s quite emotional. All these people here has been supporting me since day one. My mom, my family, I love you all because I said if it wasn’t for the fans, I wouldn’t be here.”
In the main event, Birmingham’s Edwards knocked out ex-UFC champion Lyoto Machida for the biggest win of his career. Edwards is the brother of UFC title contender Leon Edwards.
After an elbow, Edwards had the Brazilian legend reeling before a left hook felled Machida. The Brit’s most impressive victory to date came thanks to ruthless ground and pound.
𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝑲𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂 💥@fabianedwards24 stops MMA veteran @lyotomachidafw at the @OVOArena.#Bellator281 LIVE on @SHOsports 🇺🇸 and @bbcthree 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/H6Ha0DfgAH
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 13, 2022
Edwards’ brother, Leon, joined him in the Bellator cage to celebrate.
After five exhausting rounds, Page was defeated by American Logan Storley for the interim Bellator welterweight title. Meanwhile, inside Wembley Arena, Daley and Edwards celebrated stunning stoppage victories.
Wrestler Storley, who had replaced full champion Yaroslav Amosov, beat headliner MVP. Page started well, landing clean strikes. However, she spent the final half of the five minutes on the floor in the first three rounds.
The fourth round was his most convincing. He scored with a flurry of strikes while keeping the action going.
However, in the final round, Storley was able to take Page down and keep him down until the final bell. The judges preferred the visitor’s grappling over Page’s sporadic but eye-catching combinations.
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