People still doubt Gary, but “he's that good.”

Gilbert Burns believes Ian Machado Garry's potential is limitless.

Garry (15-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) defeated Michael Page (22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) by unanimous decision in the opening bout of the UFC 303 main card last Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

While Garry received criticism for his grappling approach, Burns (22-7 MMA, 15-7 UFC) praised the Irishman for executing a smart game plan against a dangerous striker in Page.

“I think he wanted to show his progress in that fight, which is the best way to show your progress in grappling and (Page) is dangerous with his striking,” Burns said on Morning Combat.

“It was a very close fight, but I think Ian has made great strides in his grappling. He's only 26 years old and has shown great potential; he has a high IQ, is a dangerous striker and his jiu-jitsu is improving rapidly.”

Barnes has a good relationship with Garry and would have no problem fighting him if they were to meet, with Garry criticising Shavkat Rakhmonov after the win and both players having conflicting views on how the training session at Kill Cliff FC was conducted.

Burns, who trains with both fighters at Kill Cliff FC, gave some insight into their sparring sessions.

“I think he's very tough,” Burns said of Gary. “He has a lot of fighting spirit. He's getting better and better. I remember his sessions with Shakhkat (Chimaev). He was good in the stand-up, he was very good. Once Shakhkat took him down, it got harder and harder. But now he's really focused on his grappling.”

“Ian vs. Shafqat could happen. It would be a good fight. … He's a good fighter. People still doubt him, but he's that good. People should start believing in him a little more. He's only 26. Guy's confidence is super high, his IQ is super high, he trains super hard, he has great energy, he has great volume. I think he'll do very well alongside a lot of guys in this division.”

Burns will face Shawn Brady in the main event of UFC Fight Night on September 7 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.