While he admits the submission hold was deep, Michael "Venom" Page says he was never concerned about getting choked out by Ian Garry at UFC 303.
Page made the walk inside Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena at last month's International Fight Week pay-per-view event, making his sophomore appearance inside the Octagon after swapping Bellator for the UFC in late 2023.
While "MVP" immediately burst into the rankings on debut by getting the better of Kevin Holland in Miami this past March, he was unable to climb further toward his targeted all-English title fight with Leon Edwards on June 29.
Instead, Garry cemented his top 10 spot by narrowly getting the better of the Londoner on the scorecards in the UFC 303 main card opener. The Irishman utilized his grappling to enjoy large periods of control in rounds one and three.
For the most part, Page didn't appear in danger of getting finished throughout the close fight. He did, however, find himself in a worrying spot during the first grappling exchange, as "The Future" attempted a rear-naked choke.
But although many were surprised to see "MVP" escape the hold, the man himself was less shocked...
Page: Not Getting Choked Out Is One Of My Jiu-Jitsu 'Superpowers'
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Page looked back on his first UFC setback and failed attempt to blemish the perfect professional record of Garry, a former Cage Warriors champion.
The Brit was specifically asked about the compromising position he found himself in on the ground shortly into the opening round, having no doubt drew out cries of 'he's going to tap' from some fans watching at home.
Page is yet to be submitted in 25 pro fights, and he says that's for good reason.
I'm very difficult to choke. In jiu-jitsu, that seems to be one of my superpowers. It's always hard for people to finish chokes on me," Page said. "When I got into that position...that was way closer than (against Holland). When I say closer, yeah, it was deep, but there was no way I was tapping and I wasn't going to sleep either.
Not to give away anything, but like I said, I am very difficult to choke," Page continued. "Even in the gym, there's guys that get me really deep and they're like, 'What the f...?!' Their arms burn out before I tap. So luckily, I'm stubborn in that area. But it was a deep choke (at UFC 303).
Whether Page will need to prove that once again opposite one of the welterweight division's top grapplers next time out or will instead be matched against a fellow striker remains to be seen.
But either way, "MVP" has touted his extra motivation since the defeat in Las Vegas and vowed to bounce back as his pursuit of gold continues.