UFC 303 results: Ian Garry BEATS Michael Venom Page to move into title contention after huge Conor McGregor heartache
IAN MACHADO GARRY picked up the biggest win of his career in a hard-fought fight with Michael ‘Venom’ Page.
The undefeated Irishman locked horns with the former long-time Bellator star early on Sunday morning on a stacked UFC 303 card in Las Vegas.
Many felt the elusive and dynamic Page would prove to be too much for Garry to overcome.
But ‘The Future‘ passed the tough test of his career with flying colours to catapult himself into title contention.
The 26-year-old – who went into the contest lamenting hero Conor McGregor‘s withdrawal from the card – edged out Page via unanimous decision to extend his record to a perfect 15-0.
And he put the rest of the 170lbs division on notice in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, saying: ” I just want to let everybody know, I’m coming for that world title.
“15-0, undefeated, unstoppable.
“I don’t care who’s next, where it is, I’m gonna be a world champion.
“‘The Futue’ is inevitable and I’m coming for that belt.”
Page immediately took the centre of the octagon and was light on his feet while utilising his patented bouncing karate stance.
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A good right hand from Page snapped back the head of Garry, who timed a blitz a few moments later to take down the Brit.
Garry cut through Page’s guard like a knife through hot butter and eventually took his back.
And he looked set to close the show when he cinched a rear-naked choke, although Page did incredibly well to survive the submission attempt and make it to the second round.
Aware he’d given away the first stanza, Page opened up more with his striking in the second – landing a stinging right hand shortly after the restart.
Garry took it well and was wise to a wild overhand right a few moments later, although his chin was rattled by a straight shortly after.
He returned the favour with a big one-two after eating a hard low kick shortly before bringing the fight to the ground with a clinch.
Page successfully defended Garry’s kneebar attempt and came close to scoring a viral KO with a flying knee, which just narrowly missed the Dubliner’s chin after getting back to his feet.
But he punctuated the round with a good right hand seconds before the horn.
Garry looked to close the distance after the final restart to try to negate Page’s blitzes.
He soon found himself on his back after initiating the clinch.
But he didn’t accept the position, throwing elbows in tight and eventually forcing MVP to stand up.
Aware the biggest win of his career was within touching distance, Garry shot for a takedown but was unable to ground the fight.
He was, however, able to take the back of the London Shootfighters standout and stay there until the end of the fight.
All three judges were in unison with their scoring of the contest, turning in 29-28 scorecards.