Michael ‘Venom’ Page has weighed in on speculation surrounding a potential welterweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry, offering an assessment of the Irish contender’s chances should the bout be confirmed.
Makhachev has not competed since claiming the 170-pound title from Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November. The champion has publicly pushed for a defence against former titleholder Kamaru Usman, but recent indications have linked him with Garry instead after the Irishman announced plans to train with Georgian wrestlers in Tbilisi ahead of his next bout.
Page, who lost a unanimous decision to Garry at UFC 303 in June 2024, reflected on Garry’s recent performances when discussing the reported matchup. “To be fair, his fight against Belal [Muhammad] somewhat – not shocked me – but I was very impressed with that fight,” said Page, according to Bloody Elbow.
“He’s a very smart fighter,” Page continued. “He’s got great striking ability, obviously his length is going to play a part, and he’s difficult to take down and keep down. He gets up. He knows his positions, and his jiu-jitsu is at a very decent level.”
However, Page also outlined the challenge posed by Makhachev’s grappling. “Makhachev, if he gets you down, it’s a very different game to fighting somebody else,” he said. “[Jack Della Maddalena] is probably the scramble king. I’ve never seen him not be able to get up from anybody, apart from Islam. It shows you the quality of Islam on top of somebody. It’s a very obvious thing, that’s where [Garry] is going to have the most amount of trouble.”
Page added: “I do think [Makhachev] will get to him at least once in a five-round fight, to finish a submission. If he can stay on his feet, keep the striking, and damage him enough to weaken him, so even if he does get taken down, he doesn’t have the strength to finish him. But he’s not really a damaging striker, he’s a more pointy, keep his distance type of fighter. So, it’s gonna be a difficult one for him to do, but he’s a very smart competitor, and he is talented.”
The UFC has yet to formally announce Makhachev’s next title defence. Should the matchup with Garry be confirmed, it would mark the champion’s first outing since moving up to welterweight and capturing the belt late last year.
