Ian Machado Garry’s claim that Michael “Venom” Page attempted to bribe a Chute Boxe fighter for inside information was confirmed by Matheus Terra, who revealed he was offered $10,000 to spy on Garry but refused out of loyalty to his team.
Ian Machado Garry claimed during UFC 303 fight week that Michael "Venom" Page offered a Chute Boxe fighter "thousands of dollars" to infiltrate the team for information. But, as Garry put it, "the Chute Boxe family is too tight." Now, a fighter from the gym confirms these allegations.
Matheus Terra, a 25-year-old lightweight from Uberlandia, said he was approached by someone he knows who lives in London and trains at the same gym as Page. Terra received a text early on June 3, just 26 days before UFC 303, with an offer to spy on Garry.
"He called me and asked if I needed money," Terra told MMA Fighting. "I thought he was going to invite me to teach seminars or maybe fight." But no. He came with this offer: film Garry’s training and share his game plan for $10,000.
Terra told the person he’d respond via text message so he could prove the legitimacy of the attempt to Garry and Chute Boxe leader Diego Lima. MMA Fighting was provided with texts and a voice message from the conversation.
Minutes after the call ended, Terra texted back saying he didn’t think it was right. "Even though I’m not close to [Garry], he’s a member of my team," Terra wrote. "It’s about loyalty… It’s a lot of f*cking money, and I need it, but I can’t."
The unnamed person replied: "I knew you wouldn’t do it." They followed up with a voice message saying they weren’t even going to ask but mentioned money because they didn’t know how Terra was doing financially or how close he was to his teammates.
Terra isn’t sure if Page knew about the offer but thinks he probably did since they train together and there’s money involved. On The MMA Hour, Page addressed the allegations stating that “I haven’t been told anything” regarding someone from his team reaching out for video or inside information.
"I don’t need it," Page said. "Especially for him." He added that it’s not personal but doesn’t feel like extra information is necessary for what he knows he can do—or should have done—in that last fight.
Chute Boxe head coach Lima was surprised when informed of the attempt. "[Lima] was like, ‘How can this still happen these days?’" Terra said. Lima appreciated knowing his fighters wouldn’t betray the team for money; some people show lack of character when there’s cash involved.
Garry defeated Page via unanimous decision in Las Vegas, boosting his MMA record to 15-0. Terra hopes to have more success in 2024 as well; he went 3-1 as an amateur before turning pro in 2023, winning his first two bouts via first-round rear-naked choke.
"My dream is to change my family’s life through this sport," said Terra, who is set to face Hadson Rodrigues at Jungle Fight 128 on July 20. His father fought MMA and trained alongside Evangelista Santos in Uberlandia, introducing him to martial arts through jiu-jitsu.
"My dream is to be in the UFC and become champion there."