Michael "Venom" Page has firmly established himself as a formidable contender in the UFC welterweight division. With a clear strategy in place, he aims to leverage pivotal opportunities to climb the ranks towards the 170-pound championship.
Page's remarkable entrance into the UFC spotlight occurred at UFC 299, where he secured a victory over Kevin Holland, positioning him 14th in the welterweight rankings. His next challenge comes at UFC 303, where he will face the undefeated Irish fighter, Ian Machado Garry.
This fight surfaced unexpectedly, a product of altered plans within the UFC. Originally slated to face Colby Covington, Garry found a new opponent in Page when Covington withdrew. Page views this as a fortuitous chance to disrupt the division's hierarchy.
"I think a win over Ian Garry just positions me in the top five," Page shared with UFC.com. He believes a top-five ranking places a fighter within arm's reach of a title bout, hence his focus on positioning himself advantageously.
The dynamic between Page and Garry has intensified as the fight approaches, with Garry having previously dismissed Page’s capabilities. Page interprets Garry's demeanor as cautious, possibly intimidated by Page’s viral fame and prowess in the ring.
As UFC 303 approaches, the tension between Page and Garry promises a thrilling start to the pay-per-view event. Page remains focused not only on enhancing his own skills but also on understanding his opponent to exploit any vulnerabilities during the match.
Looking ahead, a victory over Machado Garry could propel Page into the welterweight top five, setting the stage for a potential historic all-UK title fight against Leon Edwards, should Edwards triumph over Belal Muhammad at UFC 304. Aiming for another bout by year's end, Page envisions a title fight in the UK early in 2025.
Catch all the action at UFC 303: Pereira vs Procházka 2, broadcasting live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.