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Ian Machado Garry demonstrated a masterful grappling strategy to neutralize the striking prowess of Michael “Venom” Page, maintaining his undefeated record in the UFC 303 main card opener. Despite initially boasting about his superior striking, Garry strategically focused on takedowns and ground control to secure a unanimous decision victory.
From the outset, Garry implemented a game plan that prioritized grappling over striking. He successfully executed multiple takedowns and nearly secured a submission in the first round. While he faced some dangerous strikes from Page, Garry continuously brought the fight to the ground, where he had the advantage. The judges scored the bout 29-28 in favor of Garry, reflecting his control and tactical prowess.
"Nothing surprised me," Garry commented post-fight. "I knew how good he was, how talented he was. For me, it was patience. Patience was the key today. Today was patience. He did a great, great game plan today. Tonight was an awesome fight."
In a critical moment during the fight, Garry countered a head kick from Page with a takedown, quickly transitioning to a body triangle against the cage. Garry then attempted a rear-naked choke, but Page managed to escape despite being in a precarious position. The round ended with Garry maintaining control on Page’s back, showcasing his grappling dominance.
The second round saw Page attempting to shift momentum with aggressive striking. He landed several significant punches that momentarily stunned Garry. However, Garry reverted to his grappling strategy, though he struggled to bring the fight to the ground as efficiently as before. Page capitalized on the separation, landing more punches and gaining confidence.
As the fight progressed into the final round, Garry recognized that his best chance for victory lay in his grappling. He scrambled to take Page’s back, maintaining this position until the final horn. Despite Page’s efforts, he couldn’t escape Garry's control.
The fight concluded with Garry securing a unanimous decision victory. Although it wasn’t the knockout he had promised, Garry’s strategic approach proved effective. He now aims to face another top contender in the welterweight division. Meanwhile, Page, despite the loss, demonstrated his ability to compete with elite fighters in just his second UFC fight.