UFC 303 is hours away. There’s Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka, for sure; nothing that’s new though. There’s Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes in support of that, as the penultimate fight. However, an all-striking affair between Ian Garry and Michael ‘Venom’ Page is proving to be a mouthwatering affair. Despite lengthy tirades, the Brit says there might be some respect there after all.
During UFC 303’s press conference, the Irish welterweight pinned him for allegedly paying thousands for camp intel at Chute Boxe – Diego Lima. However, a backstage video by UFC broadcast partner ESPN MMA had Page sharing a pleasant moment with Garry’s son.
Later on, during UFC 303: Pereira vs Prochazka 2 Weigh-in show fighter check-ins, ‘Venom’ weighed in on the exchange.
Cause I’ve managed to have many ‘highlight reels,’ ..it’s not something anybody in MMA can really ignore…he’d have seen as he was coming up [in age]…There’s a little bit of respect there. As much as he wants to try and deny it, the second I gave him an option to show respect he was like offering his child to me…
Michael ‘Venom’ Page during UFC 303: Pereira vs Prochazka 2 Morning Weigh-In Show
Social media was abuzz after the exchange between Garry and Page. The Weigh-In Show live, at 11:50am ET / 8:50am PT saw Michael Page make a case for his storied career as being the link of undeniable respect between them. He says Garry, 27, would have seen his highlight reels now and then. So soon as he got the chance, the next “Disruptor” shed skin and chose respect.
Wait I could’ve sworn they was beefing😭😭😭
— Kenny Okoye🇳🇬 (@TruthfulUfcFan) June 27, 2024
Michael ‘Venom’ Page talks about seeing Ian Garry backstage after the #UFC303 press-conference yesterday:
“There’s a little bit of respect there. As much as he wants to try and deny it, the second I gave him an option to show respect he was like offering his child to me.”
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 28, 2024
The legitimacy of their banter had come under fire. Ian Garry had vowed to make an example out of him to work his way up the chain after all. However, the toddler’s cute-as-a-button accurate impressions of Conor McGregor’s strut or Max Holloway’s pointing won the day. Come this weekend, it’s a whole other story.
Dana White: Ian Machado Garry’s case against Michael ‘Venom’ Page lacks merit
The Irishman opens up the main card against Page at approximately 10:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. local time in Las Vegas). The UFC 303 (ESPN+ pay-per-view) welterweight bout is exciting as it is. It could prove pivotal for both. Michael Page (22-2 MMA and 17-2 Bellator; 1-0 UFC) last earned a unanimous nod over Kevin Holland in his debut. Meanwhile, Ian Garry remains undefeated after beating Geoff Neal this past February.
Ian Garry vs. Michael ‘Venom’ Page face-off; Dana White (Source: es.agfight.com/IMAGO)However, ‘The Future’ did not live up to the mettle trash-talkers like him are used to delivering. If anything, it was a slow-running statement victory. Hence, he has been amping up to prove himself against an equally potent striker. The duo have had some slights at each other in order to do so. Things took a turn when Page got the blame for trying to obtain sensitive intel from Garry’s camp. Dana White can’t make heads or tails of it.
Mental warfare. I have no fu*king idea, I mean, as you get closer to the [fight] – what would the thing be? If he was trying to spend money to get someone into the camp what would he be charged with if that was the case? This kind of stuff happens, this ain’t the NFL where you’re filming other guys, I have no idea.
Dana White during UFC 303 press conference backstage interviews
The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) statutes of unarmed combat do not bill this as a serious violation. However, Garry allegedly took to talking with the commission to have Michael ‘Venom’ Page suspended over bribery claims. White says these are just to rattle the rival. Regardless of their feud, if anything, the backstage moment with Garry’s son notions that there might indeed be some smoke screen to it all.
