Ian Machado Garry and Michael Page have shown a rollercoaster of respect levels in the build-up to their UFC 303 clash on Saturday.
Initially complimentary, things turned a bit more trash-talking by Wednesday’s media day. Things went to another level on Thursday at the pre-fight press conference when Garry (14-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) accused Page (22-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) of trying to obtain training information in exchange for money.
“I’ve already destroyed this man’s self-confidence so much,” said Garry. “He knows. I don’t have to say what I’m talking about. You know exactly what I’m talking about. Your self-confidence is fucked. You know what I’m talking about. It’ll work out. It’ll work out.” out, kid, but your brain is fucking screaming for an apology.”
Page smiled and grabbed the microphone, but before he could finish his full sentence, Garry verbally challenged him.
“Did you and your team offer thousands of dollars to get information into Chute Boxe from my boys?” said Garry. “You messaged someone and offered thousands for information? And you couldn’t infiltrate the camp. You couldn’t get in. The Chute Boxe family is too close. Your little rat jiu-jitsu coach offered money to one of my Brazilian friends and you got nothing. Saturday night you were screwed.”
Page didn’t deny the accusations or really acknowledge them, though he smiled as Garry ranted. Garry said Page and his coach would be suspended.
“All I know is that you’re banned after this fight,” Garry said. “You’re never fighting again after this fight. You and your jiu-jitsu coach are banned for life.”
Page responded: “Shut your f*ck mouth.”
The Nevada Athletic Commission’s (NAC) bylaws on unarmed combat do not appear to specifically reference training camp espionage as a violation, so it is unclear whether he was referring to a medical suspension, a disciplinary suspension, or something else.
Regardless of what Garry was talking about, a backstage video of the two fighters showed very different behavior than the one on stage. Garry and Page shared a sweet moment with Garry’s young son, in a snap captured by UFC broadcast partner ESPN.
For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s UFC 303 event hub.
Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie
