Tag: Ian Garry

Michael Page Gives Grim Assessment Of Ian Garry’s Title Chances After UFC 303: ‘Leon’s Gonna Kill You…Shavkat’s Gonna Kill You’ 

Having shared the cage with him at UFC 303, Michael “Venom” Page doesn’t see Ian Garry reaching the top of the welterweight division. The pair collided in the main card opener of the International Fight Week pay-per-view on June 29 in Las Vegas. The three-round affair was widely branded somewhat lackluster, with the Irishman utilizing […]

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Having shared the cage with him at UFC 303, Michael “Venom” Page doesn’t see Ian Garry reaching the top of the welterweight division.

The pair collided in the main card opener of the International Fight Week pay-per-view on June 29 in Las Vegas. The three-round affair was widely branded somewhat lackluster, with the Irishman utilizing his grappling to edge frames one and three on the scorecards.

The result marked the latest addition to Garry’s undefeated professional record and moved his UFC slate to 8-0, cementing his top 10 spot in the process.

While “The Future” has confidently expressed that he’ll now move on to focusing on those above him in the pecking order and the title, “MVP” is confident he’ll soon have his résumé blemished…

Page Didn’t Feel A Future Champion Against Garry At UFC 303

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Page looked back on the defeat he suffered in what marked just his second fight competing on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage following a decade in Bellator.

The Londoner expressed frustration with his performance inside T-Mobile Arena, suggesting the result was more down to his own shortcomings than Garry’s efforts inside the Octagon.

With that in mind, Page didn’t feel like he was squaring off against a sure-fire future champion. Far from it, in fact. “Venom” recalled facing someone who would get “killed” by UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards and top contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

“Not all. No,” Page said when asked if he sees Garry as a future champion. “Because if that’s the game you’re going to (use) when you get a decent striker, then Leon is going to kill you anyway, then Shavkat is going to kill you anyway. There’s a few guys in there that I just don’t see him surpassing. … Even in some of the areas, he didn’t feel massively strong. I’m not even trying to be disrespectful to him, because again, he’s done his job, he was smart about how he kind of went by it. But for me, regardless, this game for me is about combat. It’s about fighting. Not about stealing wins.

“Even like I said, that last round, I didn’t necessarily need to stand up or need to let him stand up. I could’ve stayed there and just dragged it out and potentially got a better score in the third round and maybe that would’ve swayed it, but that’s not the game I’m in. I’m in a combat game. Like, I want to cause damage, I want to hurt people,” Page continued. “So yeah, I don’t see him progressing to the top. I think he’s talented. I think he’ll always be around there, top 10, top five, and then he’ll keep losing out to certain people. But he is still talented, and obviously he’s got a loads of time to progress and get better anyway.”

Garry no doubt feels differently, having frequently insisted that a title crowning on MMA’s biggest stage is inevitable. He’ll look to prove that when he returns to action, potentially against one of the names mentioned by Page.

Post-UFC 303, the Irishman had the name of Rakhmonov on his lips. While he got a positive response from “Nomad,” it remains to be seen if the UFC will share the same outlook and pair them together next.

Continue Reading Michael Page Gives Grim Assessment Of Ian Garry’s Title Chances After UFC 303: ‘Leon’s Gonna Kill You…Shavkat’s Gonna Kill You’  at MMA News.

Ian Garry Gets Support From Fellow Irish UFC Fighter After Criticism Of Michael Page Win: ‘F*ck Fighting MVP, He’s A Nightmare!’ 

Not everyone was impressed by Ian Garry’s performance at UFC 303, but given what he sees in Michael “Venom” Page’s style, a fellow Irish fighter seemingly was. Garry cemented his spot in the welterweight top 10 late last month at the International Fight Week pay-per-view in Las Vegas, opening the main card opposite “MVP.” The […]

Continue Reading Ian Garry Gets Support From Fellow Irish UFC Fighter After Criticism Of Michael Page Win: ‘F*ck Fighting MVP, He’s A Nightmare!’  at MMA News.

Not everyone was impressed by Ian Garry’s performance at UFC 303, but given what he sees in Michael “Venom” Page’s style, a fellow Irish fighter seemingly was.

Garry cemented his spot in the welterweight top 10 late last month at the International Fight Week pay-per-view in Las Vegas, opening the main card opposite “MVP.”

The Irishman was vocal in the lead-up about his lack of interest when it came to sharing the cage with the lower-ranked Englishman, insisting he only accepted the matchup to get on the undercard of what was originally planned to be Conor McGregor’s comeback.

“The Notorious” ultimately pulled out and didn’t make the walk on June 29. Garry did, however, and had his hand raised in a close decision against Page, who was making just his second UFC appearance following a successful debut in March.

Having gone to the scorecards in his fights against Neil Magny and Geoff Neal, the Dubliner’s run of decisions and the competitive nature of his clash with “Venom” have left some critical of “The Future” and dismissing his chances of competing against the elite of the division.

One of Garry’s fellow countrymen, however, has suggested that such a narrative does a disservice to the challenge “MVP” presents inside the cage…

Loughran Says Criticism Of Garry’s UFC 303 Performance Is Unfair

During a recent interview with InsideFighting, UFC bantamweight prospect Caolan Loughran gave his take on a number of notable prospects, stars, and champions currently competing on MMA’s biggest stage.

When it came to Garry, the former Cage Warriors champion admitted that he hadn’t been a fan of his compatriot’s approach to fight buildups in the past.

But after noting an improvement when it came to his remarks ahead of UFC 303, Loughran pushed back on negative takes regarding Garry’s victory over Page on fight night.

“I haven’t met Ian since he was an amateur. I haven’t seen him since the regional scene. I haven’t seen him in years,” Loughran said. “I was actually liking the way he was talking (ahead of UFC 303). And he’s winning fights in the UFC.

“He’s getting a lot of stick for his performance against ‘MVP.’ F*ck fighting ‘MVP.’ He’s a nightmare!” Loughran continued. “Until you have him in front of you, you haven’t sparred or trained with someone like him. Now, when you put him on his back, he’s crap. But it’s just getting him on his back is a nightmare.”

Having maintained his perfect UFC and professional record at the expense of “MVP” at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, Garry is now setting his sights on those above him in the welterweight pecking order.

In addition to offering to serve as backup fighter for this month’s UFC 304 main event between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad, the Dubliner has set his sights on Shavkat Rakhmonov as a potential next opponent.

Continue Reading Ian Garry Gets Support From Fellow Irish UFC Fighter After Criticism Of Michael Page Win: ‘F*ck Fighting MVP, He’s A Nightmare!’  at MMA News.

Ian Garry Doesn’t Expect Kamaru Usman To Be An Option Post-UFC 303: ‘I Believe He’s Going To Run Scared’

Rising UFC welterweight Ian Garry has his sights set on those above him for his next fight, but he doesn’t see one former champion as a likely candidate. Garry extended his perfect professional record to 15-0 last weekend at UFC 303, where he recorded his eighth triumph on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage since signing […]

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Rising UFC welterweight Ian Garry has his sights set on those above him for his next fight, but he doesn’t see one former champion as a likely candidate.

Garry extended his perfect professional record to 15-0 last weekend at UFC 303, where he recorded his eighth triumph on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage since signing in 2021.

After climbing the ranks with victories over Neil Magny at UFC 292 last August and Geoff Neal this past February at UFC 298, the former Cage Warriors champion was forced to turn his gaze to a figure below him in the pecking order to secure an outing during International Fight Week.

The Irishman opened the June 29 pay-per-view main card against Michael “Venom” Page, a former Bellator standout who debuted successfully at UFC 299 earlier this year.

Despite some backing “MVP’s” unique striking to be the difference, Garry edged the Londoner out for a decision win inside the T-Mobile Arena. While the result hasn’t seen the Dubliner climb the ranks, it should see him matched against a top contender next time out.

When it comes to who, though, “The Future” doesn’t see the former champ sitting inside the top five as an option…

Garry Predicts Usman Won’t Want To Fight ‘Someone So Young & Dangerous’

During a post-fight interview with TNT Sports’ Caroline Pearce in Las Vegas, Garry looked ahead to what could await him upon his return to the cage following UFC 303.

The Irishman has been vocal in calling out fellow undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov since his win over Page. And Garry explained that preference by suggesting both Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman will likely “run.”

“Colby’s never taking the fight. He’s running scared. … After (UFC 303), he’s like, ‘Yeah, f*ck that, see you later.’ He’s jumping on someone’s rented yacht, acting like it’s his,” Garry said. “Look, there’s Usman, one of the greatest champions we’ve ever seen. I believe he’s gonna run scared and he’s not gonna f*cking make the call either. He doesn’t want to fight someone so young and dangerous.

“I just have to see how the rest of the division plays out now,” Garry continued. “I’m in the driving seat. There’s only a couple of people I can fight that are gonna be above me.”

Garry and Usman briefly trained under the same roof, with the Dubliner spending time at Kill Cliff FC in Florida, where “The Nigerian Nightmare” splits his time with Trevor Wittman’s facility.

The former champ hasn’t directly addressed a potential fight with Garry in the aftermath of UFC 303. He did, however, assess how far “The Future” is from the title, noting he could be two fights away given the names that still sit above him in the rankings.

Continue Reading Ian Garry Doesn’t Expect Kamaru Usman To Be An Option Post-UFC 303: ‘I Believe He’s Going To Run Scared’ at MMA News.

Dan Hardy Names Fighters He Thinks Will Dominate UFC’s Welterweight Division In Years To Come: ‘Some Of The Best Hands In All Of MMA!’

The UFC’s welterweight division has always been one of the most talent-stacked weight classes in MMA. Champions such as Georges St-Pierre, Tyron Woodley, and Kamaru Usman have each built legacies at 170 pounds that will be spoken about for decades to come, while other names like Matt Hughes, Robbie Lawler, and Carlos Condit have all gone […]

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The UFC’s welterweight division has always been one of the most talent-stacked weight classes in MMA.

Champions such as Georges St-Pierre, Tyron Woodley, and Kamaru Usman have each built legacies at 170 pounds that will be spoken about for decades to come, while other names like Matt Hughes, Robbie Lawler, and Carlos Condit have all gone down in the history books as some of the finest fighters to ever grace the sport.

Current welterweight champion Leon Edwards is set to defend his title against Belal Muhammed in Manchester, England, later this month, and there are a number of exciting options awaiting “Rocky” should he emerge victorious from the main event of UFC 304 on July 27.

Dan Hardy Gives His Thoughts On New UFC Welterweight Stars

Another UFC welterweight legend has been giving his thoughts on the exciting young prospects populating the top 10 at 170 pounds this week.

Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy fought in the Octagon 10 times between 2008 and 2012 and faced Georges St-Pierre for the title at UFC 111, so it’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about what it takes to hang with the elite of that particular division.

“It does feel like it’s wide open,” Hardy said during a recent appearance on the From The Stands podcast. “We’ve got a lot of newer faces in the division now that have started to come and clear out the Colby Covingtons and Kamaru Usmans that are no longer really in the topics of conversation, which is good for the division.

“We talk about Shavkat (Rakhmonov), and Ian Garry…either him or Shavkat (are talked about as) being the guy,” Hardy continued. “Clearly Ian Garry holds him in very high regard, as we all do as well. but Ian Garry and Shavkat are two of the new faces that are most likely going to define this division in the next few years.”

Hardy also added two more names to the list.

“Jack Della Maddalena…some of the best hands in all of mixed martial arts in my opinion. He’s got very, very slick boxing. I think he can go a long way.

“Another one…Sean Brady. I still feel like Sean Brady’s going to be one of the most difficult fights for any single person in the division.”

With a combined record of 66 wins and only three losses, the quartet of Garry, Rakhmonov, Brady, and Della Maddalena are not only freshening up the welterweight division, they seem to be raising the bar to new heights entirely.

Continue Reading Dan Hardy Names Fighters He Thinks Will Dominate UFC’s Welterweight Division In Years To Come: ‘Some Of The Best Hands In All Of MMA!’ at MMA News.

Ian Garry Plans Backup Role For Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘Dan Ige Stepped In…Anything Can Happen’ 

Before looking ahead to his next official booking, UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry has his sights set on a different kind of assignment in Manchester later this month. Garry is just days on from his latest victory inside the Octagon, as the Irishman extended his perfect professional record to 15-0 with an eighth triumph since […]

Continue Reading Ian Garry Plans Backup Role For Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘Dan Ige Stepped In…Anything Can Happen’  at MMA News.

Before looking ahead to his next official booking, UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry has his sights set on a different kind of assignment in Manchester later this month.

Garry is just days on from his latest victory inside the Octagon, as the Irishman extended his perfect professional record to 15-0 with an eighth triumph since arriving on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage in 2021.

The result came at the expense of former Bellator standout Michael “Venom” Page, who was narrowly outpointed by “The Future” in the main card opener of this past weekend’s UFC 303 pay-per-view event.

In the aftermath, Garry has mentioned names such as former champion Kamaru Usman and the highly regarded Shavkat Rakhmonov as potential next opponents en route to the welterweight gold.

But the Dubliner is also seemingly planning to make the most of the possibility — however slim — that he could compete with gold on the line in just a few weeks’ time…

Garry Says He’s Offered To Be Backup Fighter For UFC 304 Main Event

During a backstage interview with Caroline Pearce for TNT Sports post-fight, Garry reflected on his success inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, assessed his next steps, and looked ahead to his division’s upcoming title joust.

In one of two championship contests set for the promotion’s return to Manchester, England, for UFC 304 on July 27, Leon Edwards will run it back with Belal Muhammad in defense of his 170-pound belt.

Garry is keen to weigh in as the backup fighter for the headliner, especially after seeing the number of matchups that fell through on the UFC 303 card and the same-day opportunity that arrived at Dan Ige’s doorstep.

“I told the UFC two months ago, ‘When I win at UFC 303, I want to be the backup (at UFC 304).’ I want to be there just in case anything happens,” Garry said. “Look at this fight card (UFC 303), look at how many fights fell through. Dan Ige stepped in today! You know what I mean? Anything can happen, and I wanna be there just in case.

“Whether it’s Leon, whether it’s Belal; whoever it is. I respect both of those guys’ skillset and talent. I’m aware how good they are,” Garry continued. “But I know I can go out there against any man on the planet and get my hand raised. So for me, I’m gonna be there (in Manchester). I’ve offered to UFC, Hunter (Campbell), and Dana (White), I will be the guy to stand in and make sure that there is gonna be a welterweight world title fight if anyone pulls out. So for me, that’s next.”

It remains to be seen whether or not Garry will indeed appear on the scales a day out from UFC 304.

But having experienced a tumultuous month of late-notice cancellations, perhaps the promotion will take “The Future” up on his offer to ensure the UK fans inside the newly built Co-op Live have a welterweight title fight guaranteed.

Continue Reading Ian Garry Plans Backup Role For Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘Dan Ige Stepped In…Anything Can Happen’  at MMA News.

Ian Garry Frustrated At Getting Another Decision At UFC 303: ‘I Need To Start Working On These Finishes’

UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry was disappointed not to finish a fight within the distance for the third straight time this past weekend. At Saturday’s UFC 303 pay-per-view, Garry was tasked with opening up the main card in what marked his second Octagon assignment of the year. After getting past Geoff Neal in February, the […]

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UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry was disappointed not to finish a fight within the distance for the third straight time this past weekend.

At Saturday’s UFC 303 pay-per-view, Garry was tasked with opening up the main card in what marked his second Octagon assignment of the year. After getting past Geoff Neal in February, the undefeated Irishman was faced with a tougher striking test in Michael “Venom” Page.

In the lead-up, “The Future” expressed a distinct lack of interest in the fight and vowed to “run through” the Englishman with ease. While he ultimately had his hand raised at T-Mobile Arena, it was far from a walk in the park.

Garry secured victory on the scorecards, edging out a final round with his grappling to secure 29-28 verdicts from the three judges cageside.

For the Dubliner, he maintained his position close to the top of the division and kept the 0 on his record. But like many fans who were expecting more from the clash, Garry didn’t exit the cage without some frustration…

Garry ‘Irritated’ At Going The Distance With Page

During a backstage interview with Caroline Pearce for TNT Sports, Garry reflected on his performance and result opposite the tricky Page at UFC 303 in Las Vegas.

The former Cage Warriors champion admitted disappointment at his failure to finish “MVP” before the final horn, especially after both Neal and Neil Magny made it the 15-minute distance in his previous two bouts.

“I nearly had the heel hook as well. Look, that for me is just little details on locking up things,” Garry said. “I said to Demian (Maia), ‘Do you know what we need to do now? We need to go every possibility of finish and we need to lock in the minor details; hand position, head position, feet position. We just need to go over it all.’

“And it needs to be the same on the feet. I need to start working on these finishes because no one’s more irritated than me at having a third f**king decision in a row,” Garry continued. “Even though it’s against elite competition, it f*cks me off.”

Having started life on MMA’s biggest stage with three knockouts in his first five outings, Garry will no doubt be hoping to return to those finishing ways moving forward.

And now that he spends most of his time training over at Diego Lima’s Chute Box Academy in São Paulo alongside the likes of the UFC’s all-time most prolific submission artist Charles Oliveira, perhaps the Irishman’s next stoppage will come by way of a choke or hold.

Continue Reading Ian Garry Frustrated At Getting Another Decision At UFC 303: ‘I Need To Start Working On These Finishes’ at MMA News.