Michael 'Venom' Page plans to level up following loss to Ian Garry: "Accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound"
Michael 'Venom' Page still believes the best is yet to come in his career. In a fight that many were looking forward to on UFC 303, Page suffered the first loss of his UFC run to Ian Machado Garry but remains optimistic about his future.
Five days after the loss, Page spoke up saying the defeat is a "signal" that he needs to "rebuild" his fight style.
Page wrote in his Instagram caption:
"When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal. #UFC303"
The loss was Page's first since 2022, ending the momentum he gained with a win over Kevin Holland in his UFC debut. Overall, Page dropped to 22-3 and 1-1 in the Octagon.
Garry improved to 15-0, keeping his undefeated record intact. The 26-year-old Irishman called for a fight with former teammate Shavkat Rakhmonov in his next outing as he inches closer to a welterweight title shot.
Michael 'Venom' Page vs. Ian Machado Garry recap
Though Ian Machado Garry spent the entire promotion of his fight with Michael 'Venom' Page claiming that he was the younger, faster and more skilled striker, his belief was quickly put to rest as the Karate point fighter proved to be too much. Garry, however, countered with his far superior grappling.
After securing his first takedown of the fight, Garry had Page out of his element in round one, nearly ending his night early with a rear naked choke. Page bounced back with a dominant second round, confusing and hurting Garry while avoiding takedowns. But 'The Future' fell back on his grappling in the final frame to win the fight.
The third round was subject to mild controversy on social media due to the split nature of the action. Michael 'Venom' Page controlled the early portion with his striking but found himself stuck for the final two minutes of the fight with Garry clinging onto his back.
At the end of the night, Dana White told reporters he felt the fight should have been scored a draw under the credence that the third round was an even battle.