Thursday’s UFC 303 pre-fight press conference ended up being a relatively tame 30-minute endeavour yet it wasn’t the main or co-main event fighters that stole the show.
Instead, welterweights Ian Machado Garry and Michael “Venom” Page engaged in some light verbal sparring that steadily intensified as the press conference progressed. And, this will come as no surprise to mixed martial arts fans, it was Machado Garry doing most of the talking.
“I do not underestimate you. I just know that I’m better than you,” Machado Garry said to Page in a slow, condescending way at one point. “Is that clear enough?”
Machado Garry is 14-0 in MMA and is looking to make it eight consecutive wins at the UFC level. The Portmarnock, Ireland native who now frequently trains in Brazil at the Chute Boxe Academy is 11 years younger than Page but easily eclipses him in UFC experience.
Page, after all, is 22-2 as a pro with a bevy of highlight knockout wins under the Bellator MMA banner but Saturday will mark only his second UFC appearance. The talented and creative striker from London, England defeated Kevin Holland at UFC 299 in March and has a chance to skip the line at 170 pounds with an upset win at T-Mobile Arena.
“I just don’t see a way for him to keep up with my speed and my cardio,” Machado Garry said. “I think he’s going to get desperate in the second round.”
Page, 37, has not always been the fan favourite entering his fights in the past, although he certainly will be this weekend.
“I appreciate going anywhere and receiving love,” Page said. “I love that kind of energy. It helps me during the fight, it helps me in the buildup, but at the same time if the crowd’s against me I always change minds.”
Page debuted in the welterweight rankings as the No. 14 contender, while Machado Garry currently sits at No. 7. An impressive performance could potentially see him enter the top five and then title contention talk becomes more of a reality.
Boos frequently rained down on Machado Garry before, during and after his UFC 298 fight with Geoff Neal earlier this year. He was also booed heavily on Thursday but he said has not embraced the villain role.
“I’m being myself and everyone who boos and everyone who says (expletive) just hasn’t done their (expletive) research and is pretty stupid,” Machado Garry retorted. “The truth is I don’t care who I fight. I’m gonna run through MVP Saturday night and I’m gonna fight anybody who’s next. You give me Colby (Covington), you give me (former champion Kamaru) Usman, you give me Shavkat (Rakhmonov). I’ve told you, I need to be one of the greatest to ever do this and take out the guys at the top.”
At one point Machado Garry interrupted a question that began, “If you lose on Saturday…” and the 26-year-old simply wagged his finger.
“It’s never the case. It’s not in here,” Machado Garry said while pointing to his head, suggesting the thought of losing literally doesn’t enter his mind. “Look, I’m so talented. This guy couldn’t win a title at Bellator and he’s trying to come over here and he’s trying to do something different. What he’s doing in the UFC is trying to legitimize his career. I’m gonna put an end to his career Saturday night. I’mma finish him and I’m gonna send him back to London. He’s gonna be on his own. He’s gonna be in his head. I’ve already broke this man’s confidence down so much.”
Machado Garry also alleged during the press conference that Page’s jiu-jitsu coach offered money to someone from Machado Garry’s team for inside information about the undefeated fighter’s training camp.
“Saturday night, you’re (expletive),” Machado Garry added before the two 170-pounders engaged in an intense staredown with UFC president Dana White separating them.
This matchup will open the pay-per-view portion Saturday’s card. Below is the official UFC 303 bout order as of Thursday evening:
MAIN CARD
— Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka
— Bran Ortega vs. Diego Lopes
— Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze
— Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson
— Ian Machado Garry vs. Michael Page
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Joe Pyfer vs. Marc-Andre Barriault
— Cub Swanson vs. Andre Fili
— Charles Jourdain vs. Jean Silva
— Payton Talbott vs. Yanis Ghemmouri
— Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs. Gillian Robertson
— Andrei Arlovski vs. Martin Buday
— Rei Tsuruya vs. Carlos Hernandez
— Ricky Simon vs. Vinicius Oliveira