Welterweight contenders Ian Garry and Michael “Venom” Page have not had many nice things to say about one another in the build-up to UFC 303.
The two elite strikers are set to meet in the main card opener this Saturday night in what is sure to be one of the most talked about fights of the evening.
Ahead of June 29, Garry and Page have exchanged words with this coming to a head at the fight week press conference and subsequent stare down.
The undefeated Irishman is incredibly confident in this match-up and believes that whilst he wasn’t particularly interested in the fight a first, it gives him the chance to make a statement.
Page, on the other hand, has called his opponent fake amongst other insults before he steps inside the Octagon for a second time.
Given their back-and-forth comments on stage at the press conference, fans were surprised to see a video that went up on social media just moments after the war of words.
MMA Fans React To Footage Of Ian Garry & Michael Page Sharing Warm Moment Backstage
Backstage at the press conference, ESPN MMA captured footage of an interaction between Garry and Page before they compete on Saturday night.
The two opponents shared a warming encounter in which Garry’s son and “MVP” embraced and waved hello to one another.
Ian Machado Garry's son met Michael "Venom" Page after the presser #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/JHnyK1U81r
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 27, 2024
Fans on social media reacted to the huge contrast in the interactions between the welterweight rivals.
“Why does the person running this account think its a good idea to post this? SELL THE FIGHT”
Why does the person running this account think its a good idea to post this? SELL THE FIGHT
— Roberto Garrido (@robertogrrd) June 27, 2024
“Wait I could’ve sworn they was beefing”
Wait I could’ve sworn they was beefing
— Kenny Okoye (@TruthfulUfcFan) June 27, 2024
“Can you not and wait after the damn fight”
Can you not and wait after the damn fight
— ONI (@OniSixx) June 27, 2024
“Gonna look back on this and realize the kid landed the best punch of the fight between these two”
Gonna look back on this and realize the kid landed the best punch of the fight between these two
— BACKWOODSBOSS35 (@BackwoodsBoss35) June 28, 2024
“that’s a sweet moment”
that's a sweet moment
— Adnan Belushi (@adnanbelushi) June 27, 2024
“PPV sales after the fans see this clip:”
“Realizing I was lied to”
Realizing I was lied to pic.twitter.com/vHHHH6VnqH
— Gama (@gray34fox) June 27, 2024
“Ian in dad mode is so hard not to like. He’s so cool like that. Big ups to the chap hope he makes his dreams come true, he surely has the talent.”
Ian in dad mode is so hard not to like. He’s so cool like that. Big ups to the chap hope he makes his dreams come true, he surely has the talent.
— Armani (@Deshon23102684) June 28, 2024
“This is how it should be… on stage you make a show…back stage you are professionals. It is entertainment … these guys do not have to hate each other to make a good fight!”
This is how it should be… on stage you make a show…back stage you are professionals. It is entertainment … these guys do not have to hate each other to make a good fight!
— MAN MET DE PET (@DeMet19634) June 28, 2024
