UFC 303's Michael Page thinks fans would call Ian Machado-Garry “Can” if the fight took place outside of UFC. “It's the exact same fight.”

This weekend (Sat., June 29, 2024) at UFC 303, a welterweight contender will take another step forward in the division rankings.

Michael “Venom” Page He is looking to climb the UFC welterweight ladder and found success in his debut. Kevin Holland at UFC 299 in March 2024. The unanimous decision win set up Paige for a sophomore bout against the unbeaten 14-0 Irish star. Ian Machado Garryas the opening bout on the UFC 303 main card.

Page, who rose to fame in Bellator before coming to UFC, came under fire for the matchmaking provided by his former organization, and he believes the fight against Garry would have been handled the same way if it had taken place under that organization's umbrella.

“If this kind of fight had taken place outside of the UFC, most people would have said, 'You're fighting just any guy, why are you fighting this guy?'” Page said at UFC 303 media day. “They would have said all sorts of stuff, and it's the exact same fight at the UFC, and now everyone's opinion has changed, like, 'Now I'm fighting a top-level guy, this and that.'”

“A lot of people said there was no way I'd ever fight a top 10 guy. Now I'm fighting a guy ranked seventh and a lot of people are saying, 'Yeah, you could beat him' (laughs). Things have changed dramatically.”

The 37-year-old Paige didn't look out of place against Holland, delivering arguably the best performance of his 24-fight career (22-2). Historically, “MVP” has been a highlight-reel machine and will look to continue proving that it's simply a result of his skill, not the way he's booked.

“I've said for years that I spar with a lot of UFC guys, I already know I'm at that level,” Page said. “I didn't come here to prove it to anybody. This is a huge honor, but I didn't come here to prove it to everybody else, I already knew I could do it.”

“I'm talking about guys like Ross Houston, for example,” he continued, “I remember taking that fight and the negative reactions to it. They (Houston and Gary) are fighters who came from the same place. The difference is that one went to Bellator and the other went to UFC. I understand the size of UFC, the brand power and all that. But I feel like sometimes people are fooled by the brand power and not by the actual fighters, and they don't analyze the fighters or the fights themselves.”

Watch UFC 303 LIVE PPV on ESPN+!

“The main event without McGregor!” The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will return to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, June 29, 2024, to its biggest box office hit yet. Conor McGregorWith the Irish sports star postponing his “greatest comeback ever” due to a broken pinky finger (yes, really), it's the light heavyweight champion who comes to the rescue again. Alex PereiraHe agreed to a rematch with the former division champion. Jiri Prochazkain the pay-per-view (PPV) main event. The top featherweight contenders, co-headlining UFC 303, Brian Ortegawill try to thwart the rise of the burgeoning 145-pound prospect. Diego LopezThe UFC 303 PPV main card (see here) includes: Anthony Smith versus Roman Dorize and Ian Garry versus Michael “Venom” Page Etc. Must-see action! UFC 303 Scheduled start time 6pm ET (Qualifying) and 10pm ET (PPV).

Don't miss a second of this epic face-punching action!

Please remember translation: The entire fight will be broadcasted live, round by round, blow by blow. UFC 303 Fight Card right hereearly ESPN+ The online “qualifying” matches will be held 6pm ET (simulcast on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET) prior to the start of the pay-per-view (PPV) main card. 10pm ET (Also, ESPN+).

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