Praneet Thakar
The lead-up to UFC 303 is marked by escalating verbal exchanges between Ian Machado Garry and Michael Page, who are set to face each other in a welterweight bout with potential title implications.
Garry expresses his disinterest in fighting Page, citing his undefeated record and a desire for a top-five opponent, which he claims is unavailable. Despite this, Garry acknowledges Page as the best option among limited choices due to his recent rise in the rankings and reputation from his Bellator tenure.
Garry, fresh off a challenging split decision victory over Geoff Neal, finds himself in a frustrating position with no higher-ranked opponents available. Consequently, he reluctantly accepts the bout with Page, viewing it as an opportunity to demonstrate his superiority.
He asserts confidence in his skills, believing himself to be on a different level than Page, and sees the fight as a chance to prove it convincingly to fans and critics alike.
Page, on the other hand, actively sought the fight with Garry, calling him out after his UFC debut victory over Kevin Holland. He accuses Garry of adopting a “fake” persona reminiscent of Conor McGregor, implying insincerity in Garry’s public image.
Despite Page’s eagerness, Garry doubts his opponent’s readiness and capability, questioning whether Page will follow through and show up for the scheduled bout on June 29 in Las Vegas.
In response to Garry’s skepticism, Page taunts him on social media, adding fuel to the already fiery pre-fight exchanges. The tension between the two fighters continues to mount as they engage in a war of words, each seeking to gain a psychological edge before stepping into the octagon.
Their clash adds an extra layer of anticipation to UFC 303, which is headlined by a welterweight matchup between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, promising an eventful night for fight fans.
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