Gegard Mousasi, Michael Page and Aaron Chalmers wrote the perfect script for Bellator 200 in London last night adding to the momentum the fight league is bringing to its international growth at its historic numbered event at Wembley Arena.
Mousasi, born outside Tehran, a refugee to Holland, and a blessing to a long list of fight promotions over a long period of time - bringing class, grace and brilliance to fight sports - claimed the Bellator middleweight crown from Rafael Carvalho with an ease that defies the toughness involved in the sport of mixed martial arts.
He shipped little damage in standing with the taller man, taking him to task up close, and gaining positional advantage before pounding out his rival.
Job done. Simple, effective, the Persian magic carpet stuff fans have come to expect from, and love about Mousasi.
It was a clearly delighted, and amusing new champion who ripped into Rory MacDonald, the Bellator welterweight king who has called him out about fighting next, which he is happy to take; and he approvingly agreed when it was suggested that 'King' Mo Lawal, whom Mousasi once fought at light heavyweight, could be another viable challenger. Bellator's slumbering middleweight division is alive and breathing and will gain its momentum hereonin.
Michael 'Venom' Page was equally impressive, aping the skills of 'Thanos' and the Inifinity Gauntlet - and appearing with the giant hand pos- fight, in a typically mesmerising dance which brought the house down as that inimitable style of his busted up David Rickels, opening up a cut above the American's left eye in the second round after bamboozling a man who he made look like 'The Caveman'.
He beat his opponent with range control, dance and movement, picking him apart and forcing his foe into a 'No Mas' moment.
He is the star, he is the show, he said. No one fights like him. There is no denying that. Sitting quietly in the West London arena, in the VIP seats, rival Paul Daley. A showdown would be a huge draw. Indeed, it is perhaps time to move Page to headlining at venues like the O2 Arena, in London Docklands with a 20,000 seat capacity and heavily promote the unique stylist.
There is something in his hands down style, a vulnerability even, that will draw even greater interest when he is pitched in against the elite fighters in Bellator's heavily stacked 170 pound division.
The thought of not just Daley, but Douglas Lima, Lorenz Larkin and MacDonald et al in the cage with the Briton thrills with expectation.
Hats off to Aaron Chalmers. Yes, he's a reality tv star turned fighter, but he's show a depth for playing the game. And showing some stones every time he puts himself on the line to a legion of haters.
He took a knee from opponent Ash Griffiths, he showed he has a chin. Yes, to Baby Slice, he said, yes to CM Punk; it's all rather fun. But behind the scenes, the former oil rig scaffolder is living the life. He could have chosen a much easier path than this hardest of roads.
And in front of the fans, and under the lights at Wembley, he managed to bring the house down. He's 31 today, and another who is helping himself, MMA - and indeed Bellator - to find a stronghold in the hearts of fans in the UK.
"I'll never lose the tag of being a reality tv star, I'll never be able to please everyone, even if I beat someone who is 10-0, they will still say I was given it, but I'm in this now, and I'm going to give it all I've got," he said afterwards, clearly jubilant. Good for him, and long may it continue. Anyhow, having legions of haters never hurt a fighter.
Scott Coker, the CEO of Bellator, returns to the USA with a full treasure trove of storylines and possibilities emanating from this event, the only disappointment being the withdrawal of Mirko Cro Cop five days out. Coker revealed afterwards that "six to eight localised shows in the UK, plus the tentpole event(s)" would be coming in 2019.
Best Bellator event held in Europe by a country mile.
Bellator 200 Main Card Results:
Gegard Mousasi (43-6-2) defeated Rafael Carvalho (15-2) via TKO (punches) at 3:35 of round one to claim the Bellator Middleweight Championship
Michael Page (13-0) defeated David Rickels (20-4, 2 NC) via verbal submission at :42 of round two
Aaron Chalmers (4-0) defeated Ash Griffiths (4-7) via technical submission (standing guillotine) at 1:55 of round one
Mike Shipman (12-1) defeated Carl Noon (7-3) via KO (punches) at :11 of round one
Kate Jackson (10-3-1) defeated Anastasia Yankova (5-1) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
Phil Davis (19-4, 1 NC) defeated Linton Vassell (18-7, 1 NC) via KO (head kick) at 1:05 of round three
Preliminary Card Results:
Jahreau Shephard (1-1) defeated Marcin Zywica (2-1) via TKO (referee stoppage) at 5:00 of round one
Walter Gahadza (17-3) defeated Kent Kauppinen (10-4) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:04 of round two
Amir Albazi (11-0) defeated Iurie Bejenari (6-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:21 of round one
Charlie Leary (15-8-1) defeated Tom Green (12-3) via TKO (punches) at 4:58 of round two
Charlie Ward (5-3) defeated Martin Hudson (4-5) via TKO (punches) at 2:23 of round one
Pedro Carvalho (6-3) defeated Daniel Crawford (10-2) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Anatoly Tokov (26-3) defeated Vladimir Filipovic (10-3) via submission (guillotine) at :56 of round one
Costello Van Steenis (10-1) defeated Kevin Fryer (6-3) via TKO (punches) at 1:27 of round one
Mike Ekundayo (6-0) defeated Tom Mearns (6-1) via TKO (arm injury) 1:02 of round two