Michael ‘Venom’ Page only sees himself 'coming out on top' when he faces Ian Machado Garry At UFC 303.
The incredible Welterweight contest was officially announced earlier this week and received a great reception from both fans and pundits alike. The pair will meet inside the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on June 29.
Ahead of the contest, the 37-year-old spoke with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. Discussing the time frame in which everything has been sorted, MVP revealed that he was never not going to take the fight but would have preferred the contest to happen on the UFC’s return to England, so that he had a full fight camp to prepare. He said:
“I had actually asked for Ian Garry and they said he's not available because he's fighting Colby, then I heard that Colby, I think there's like a medical issue or something. He's not going to make medical or something. I didn't really look into it too much. (The UFC) said that he's not going to be able to make it so you know you can take that fight and we'll do it for June.
“I was like ‘Yeah, let's go!’ And then realized the time and I was like ‘To be fair, can we just do it on Manchester? You guys already told me it's going to be Manchester, you know? Can we just do it there? It makes sense. He’s an Irish guy, (I’m an) English guy, it makes sense. I think Ian Gary was like, he's not doing it on any other show apart from June and was kind of bragging that he accepted the fight and I found it funny because I think he thought I was turning the fight down where I was just asking for it to just be pushed a month later, just gives me a bit more time. So he seemed a bit excited about me supposedly not accepting the fight.
“I was like ‘Nah, for that fight, I'll do it on short notice.’ It's not a problem for me, but I would have just preferred to just push out a little bit, you know, one extra month just to give myself a little bit more time. But, you know, that's why we're here."
At the top of the bill at UFC 303, Michael Chandler will be the man to welcome back ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor to the Octagon in a Welterweight clash. Whenever McGregor fights, there are more eyes than ever on a UFC card. Page feels that the reason Machado Garry was adamant to be on the 303 card, was to try benefit from the influence McGregor has, as he looks to become Ireland’s next big star. As much as Page sees it as a good opportunity to share the card with the biggest name in the sport, he feels that people tune in to watch him, irrespective of the card he is on.
“It feels like he's just, grabbing on coattail of Conor because for me, it doesn't bother me either way.
“Like, I know, obviously, being on a card with Conor is amazing. Yes, we know there's going to be a lot of eyes, but I always I love this, creating my own shine. It doesn't bother me either way, I can be on to the worst card in the world and if I'm on it, I'm going to bring eyes.
“I'm going to make noise, I'm going to do big things, I am going to create attention for that show, I don't need anybody else. But for him, I think he's trying (to find ) fast routes to the top and fast routes to fame, which only last so long, so I'm glad this has happened because I'm looking forward to derailing this hype.”
The two have shared plenty posts on their respective social media channels since the bout was officially confirmed by the UFC but MVP explained that there is no bad blood or ill intentions on his side and he respects the skillset that Machado-Garry possesses. He said:
“He’s a talented guy. From the Cage Warriors days, you know, having looked at some of the fights that he was doing from back in the day. Very talented, very, very talented. The reason why he’s there is because he's got the right attributes. I don't know if he's got the right mindset, but he's definitely got the right attributes (but it) doesn't bother me. His attributes for me, like I put myself against anybody standing and I feel like I'll come out on top. So, yes, I have to be on point and this is why I want to (get my) head down and train.
“But yeah, I still fancy myself coming out on top.”
You can watch the full interview below:
