Neiman Gracie wants to dance with Michael Page, but he is not going to wait idly by.
Gracie (10-1) will fight Jason Jackson (13-4) at Bellator 255 on April 2; however, Jackson was not an opponent on Gracie's radar. The submission specialist was seeking either a Bellator welterweight title fight vs. Douglas Lima or a match-up with Page.
"I wanted either the title fight or the Michael 'Venom' Page fight, but they didn't give me any of those fights. The only guy who took the fight was Jason Jackson. I'm thankful that he took the fight because I need to fight," Gracie told Fightful. "He [Page] kept asking for more time and more time. So I gave him more time the first time. Then he asked for more time again and I can't do that. I can't wait for him to be ready for the end of the year."
Gracie wants to prioritize a welterweight title shot with a win vs. Jackson, but he is still willing to revisit the MVP fight.
"The title fight would be something bigger, but if they don't give me the title I have no choice. I need to fight. I need to make money so definitely I'd fight MVP."
Bellator 255 marks the promotion's debut on Showtime. On top of that, the organization has bolstered its ranks with the likes of Yoel Romero and Anthony Johnson.
"I think it's great for everyone," Gracie said. "It's great for the fighters and it's great for the show. I'm really happy with what Bellator is doing and they've always been great to me. I'm really happy to see how big they are getting."
Bellator 255 takes place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut on Friday, April 2. The Showtime card is headlined by a Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix semi-finals world title fight between Patricio "Pitbull" Freire and Emmanuel Sanchez. The card also features Matt Mitrione vs. Tyrell Fortune and appearances by Roger Huerta and Mandel Nallo. Keep up with Fightful for all your event-related coverage.
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