Ian Machado Garry turned to his grappling to keep away from the dynamic hanging assault of Michael “Venom” Web page and maintain his undefeated report intact to kick off the UFC 303 foremost card.
Regardless of guarantees that he was sooner and higher on the toes than the at all times flashy Web page, Garry instantly hunted for a number of takedowns and almost locked up a submission within the opening spherical. Whereas he needed to stave off some nasty strikes from Web page on the toes, Garry continued to get the struggle into his world on the bottom to assist safe the victory.
When it was over, all three judges scored the struggle 29-28 for Garry.
“Nothing shocked me,” Garry stated of his efficiency. “I knew how good he was, how proficient he was. For me, it was endurance. Persistence was the important thing at present. At present was endurance. He did an important, nice recreation plan at present. Tonight was an superior struggle.
“I’m coming for that world title. I don’t care who’s subsequent. I’m going to be a world champion. I’m coming for that belt.”
In a shock twist in comparison with the pre-fight banter, Garry countered an early head kick with a takedown as he planted Web page on the canvas and started making use of his grappling recreation. Garry wasted no time advancing his place to lock on a physique triangle in opposition to the cage.
A break up second later, Garry had a rear-naked choke locked on as Web page’s face twisted right into a grimace, however in some way the Bellator veteran ultimately broke free from the submission. Regardless of surviving the dangerous spot, Web page was nonetheless caught in an unenviable place, with Garry hanging on his again till the opening spherical got here to a detailed.
Firstly of the second spherical, Web page went head-hunting and buzzed Garry with a number of stinging proper palms that obtained the Irishman’s consideration. Garry turned again to his grappling once more, however he wasn’t capable of drag the motion right down to the bottom as shortly.
When Web page obtained separation on the toes, he blasted Garry with some nasty punches as his confidence began to develop. By the point the struggle moved into the ultimate spherical, Garry clearly knew his finest likelihood to win got here on the bottom, in order that’s the place he appeared to take the struggle once more.
Whereas he couldn’t get the struggle down conventionally, Garry did handle to scramble right into a back-take as time ticked away towards the ultimate horn. Garry stayed tight on the again, sustaining his place, and Web page was unable to interrupt free till the struggle got here to a detailed.
Whereas it wasn’t the highlight-reel victory he promised, Garry obtained the job completed with a unanimous determination win. Now he’ll search for one other high contender within the welterweight division.
As for Web page, he suffered a loss, however he continued to point out he can grasp with the most effective fighters on the earth in simply his second UFC struggle.