UFC 303: 'The world is gonna see how f****** good I am,' says Ian Machado Garry ahead of Michael 'Venom' Page clash

ByRob Hemingway

Published 28/06/2024 at 09:49 GMT+1

Ian Garry was in typically forthright mood at the pre-fight press conference prior to his much-anticipated UFC 303 clash with Michael 'Venom' Page in Las Vegas. The pair face off in a welterweight bout on a card headlined by Alex Pereira's light heavyweight title defence against Jiri Prochazka. Garry said he wouldn't be an "idiot" and not respect Page, but was clear about the outcome of the fight.

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Ian Machado Garry says he is "faster and far more talented" than Michael 'Venom' Page "ever will be", as the pair prepare to lock horns at UFC 303.

The customarily outspoken Garry took to the mic at the pre-fight media day to declare his belief that he is better than his English opponent, who joined the UFC in December 2023 from competing MMA promotion Bellator.

Page, 37, beat Kevin Holland by unanimous decision on his UFC debut back in March, but Garry believes there will only be one winner in Las Vegas on Saturday, live on TNT Sports.

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Garry, as yet undefeated in his own 14-fight UFC career, began: "Is MVP very talented? Absolutely. I don't think there's anyone that wouldn't say he isn't very talented at what he does.

"I respect his game and his skillset, you have to, otherwise you're being an idiot.

"Do I think I'm better than him? One hundred million per cent. I know I am. My intelligence, my IQ, everything that I do, I just know I'm better than him.

"He's had one win in the UFC. He's ranked 13 in the world, he hasn't dominated in the UFC for so long.

"He has been built up by Bellator against people he was meant to beat, and he went in and beat them. He put on shows against people he was supposed to put on shows [against].

"But he's here now, and he's fighting someone 11 years younger. He's fighting someone who's faster, far more talented than he has ever been or ever will be.

"And I am telling you, on Saturday night the world is going to see just how f****** good I am."

Page admitted to being "lazy" and not being too across Garry and his career to date, instead focussing on how he can improve.

"I have to get ready to be better than myself the last time," the Englishman said.

"I have to get ready to just be a better athlete, a better mixed martial artist than previous. For me that's the main focus every single time.

"I think I've used this example before, those driving games. You race around the race track and the second time it's a ghost of your last score. And you're trying to beat yourself.

"That's how I feel. I'm in there just trying to be better than myself."

How to watch UFC 303

UFC 303: What TV channel is the main card on?

Live coverage from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada begins at 3am UK time on Sunday, June 30 on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.

What time does UFC 303 start in the UK?

The prelims start at 1am on Sunday, June 30, with the main card following at 3am. The early prelims, which can be watched on UFC Fight Pass, kick off at 11pm on Saturday night.