Kicking off the main card of UFC 303 tomorrow night is an incredibly intriguing matchup in the welterweight division. Undefeated top contender Ian Garry (14-0) will look to take another step towards title contention as he takes on the incredibly entertaining Michael “Venom” Page (22-2).
After spending the majority of his MMA career with Bellator, MVP finally made his octagon debut back in March against Kevin Holland. Page was as advertised and his movement along with his striking was incredible to watch. He frustrated Holland throughout the three rounds by hitting him with incredibly unique shots and then evading the big returns. It was MVP’s second straight win after a loss to Logan Storley back in 2022.
Ian Garry didn’t want to fight someone below him in the rankings. He’s 7-0 in the UFC and he’s currently ranked 7th in the division. He wanted to fight someone like Colby Covington get him closer to the title, but he was desperate to fight on the Conor McGregor card being a fellow Irishman. So, Garry took this fight with MVP, but then McGregor fell off the card due to injury.
Nevertheless, Garry will have the support of the Irish fans that are still planning to attend the event. Garry last fought at UFC 298 in February against Geoff Neal. Garry won by split decision fighting on the outside and using his technical striking to outpoint the powerful Geoff Neal.
UFC 303 Prediction
I’m extremely curious to see the game plan from Ian Garry tomorrow night. We all know what the game plan will be for Michael “Venom” Page. MVP is going to have his extremely wide stance, he’s going to dance, and he’s going to dart in and out with his attacks. Garry is going to be the more powerful striker in there, but he’s facing one of the hardest guys to hit in the sport.
I do wonder if we see Ian Garry take the path of least resistance and wrestle at UFC 303. Garry has talked about the fact that he’s wanting to evolve his entire game and not just be known as the best striker. He wants to be the best everywhere. That said, he believes he’s the best striker and I do wonder if his ego will take over where he’ll want to just strike with MVP.
I do think that Garry can win a standup fight with MVP because he’s got a ton of power and very good technique. He can find the chin of MVP, but it’s not going to come easy. If this becomes a point fighting matchup at UFC 303 that stays on the feet, I see a split decision all day with both men having a 50/50 shot at winning.
Purely point fighting on the feet, I like MVP just because he’s so damn fast and hard to hit. However, despite his ego and despite what he says about wanting to just strike with Page, I think you’ll see Ian Garry wrestle some tomorrow night. Ultimately enough to win the majority of rounds and pickup a decision which would make him 8-0 in the UFC.
Prediction: Ian Garry by Decision