Michael Page, despite losing to Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303, remains unimpressed by Garry’s performance and doubts his potential to reach the top of the UFC welterweight division, while expressing his own determination to improve and return stronger.
Michael Page may have fallen short against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303, but that doesn’t mean he came away impressed by what he saw from the cocksure Irishman.
Page dropped a hard-fought unanimous decision at the June 29 pay-per-view. He outclassed Garry on the feet but ultimately lost two rounds on the scorecards after succumbing to Garry’s grappling-heavy game plan.
Afterward, UFC CEO Dana White publicly stated that the bout felt like a draw, much to Garry’s chagrin. But even despite the setback, Page’s takeaway was unequivocal when asked Wednesday on The MMA Hour whether Garry is championship material in the talent-rich UFC welterweight division.
“Not at all. No,” Page said. “Because if that’s the game you’re going to go [to] when you get a decent striker, then Leon [Edwards] is going to kill you anyway, then Shavkat [Rakhmonov] is going to kill you anyway.”
“There’s a few guys in there that I just don’t see him surpassing.”
“Even in some of the areas, he didn’t feel massively strong. I’m not even trying to be disrespectful to him because again, he’s done his job; he was smart about how he kind of went by it.”
“But for me, regardless, this game for me is about combat. It’s about fighting. Not about stealing wins.”
“Even like I said, that last round, I didn’t necessarily need to stand up or need to let him stand up. I could’ve stayed there and just dragged it out and potentially got a better score in the third round and maybe that would’ve swayed it.”
“But that’s not the game I’m in. I’m in a combat game. Like, I want to cause damage; I want to hurt people.”
“So yeah, I don’t see him progressing to the top,” Page continued.
“I think he’s talented. He’ll always be around there—top 10, top five—and then he’ll keep losing out to certain people.”
“But he’s still talented and obviously has loads of time to progress and get better anyway.”
Page, 37, is now 1-1 in his brief UFC career after scoring a blowout win over Kevin Holland in his promotional debut.
His performance against Garry further showed that Page’s unique brand of striking presents problems for any contender in the UFC welterweight division.
Nonetheless remains disappointed in himself for the result.
Page said he hasn’t yet watched the fight back but knows he’s going to be frustrated once he does.
“I’m tough on myself,” Page admitted.
I think there are a lot of mistakes that I made,” Page said.
I just wasn’t quite myself in there,” he added.
“For me,” Page continued thoughtfully,it just motivated me a bit more.”
“Exactly what I said was going to happen happened.”
“As much as Ian said he’s this level of a striker…he didn’t want to strike with me.”
“And I tell people all the time: when I’m bouncing around in front of you? It’s a very different game.”
“He went for a different plan.”
“Again,”
“there’s a couple decisions during the fight that I could’ve made and done better…maybe scrape the result?”
“But that’s just not me.”I prefer big finishes…I wanted knockouts…So yeah…A lotta adjustments needed…but I’m super motivated!
Garry accused an unnamed member of Page’s team offering $10k (yes!)
To one of Garry’s teammates at Chute Boxe.
For info on Garry’s prep & game plan.
Garry kept hammering this accusation post-fight.
Even called for lifetime suspensions! For Page & coaches!
“If somebody tried?”
“Nope.”
“I haven’t been told anything.”
Would it bother him if true?
“One hundred percent!”
“I don’t need it.”
“Especially not for him.”
“It’s not personal.”
“I don’t feel like extra info would’ve changed what happened.”
Shoulda done better…
No excuses…
Already itching for gym return!
Uninjured!
Expects another bout by 2024.
Ready for any 170-pound contender!
“I just need back into winning column…”
“In true ‘MVP’ fashion!”
Still feels unshown self…
In UFC cage…