Ian Machado Garry has given a thumbs down to the idea of fighting Michael ‘Venom’ Page next after the former Bellator star made an immediate impression in the Octagon with his convincing debut victory over Kevin Holland at UFC 299.
“No, his number’s not higher than mine,” the No.7 ranked Garry said of the No.13 placed Page when asked by Sky Sports whether he’d be interested in fighting him. “I want to be the best in the world and unless your number is higher than mine, I’m not interested.
“Unless he passes me in the division and his number is higher than mine, zero interest.”
That being said, Garry did give ‘Venom’ credit for his unanimous decision win over Holland.
“I’m glad he punched out Kevin Holland,” Garry said. “That guy talks a lot of smack as well and that just proves that he’s not good enough to be in the top 10.
“I did [think Page would lose.] I said I don’t think he beats him, but yeah, he surprised me. Well done.”
So who does Garry want to fight then? Well, it seems he has his eyes firmly focused on the No.4 ranked Colby Covington, who is coming off an unsuccessful attempt to seize the 170lb title from Leon Edwards at UFC 296 last December.
“There’s no way, shape, or form, or universe that I lose this fight,” Garry said of the potential match-up. “I’m going to punch the mouth off Colby Covington.”
