Ian Garry claims U-turn on Michael 'Venom' Page matchup is "all because Colby Covington is running"

After months of angling for the opportunity, Ian Garry will share a card with fellow Irishman Conor McGregor. The No.7-ranked welterweight is set to make his return against Michael 'Venom' Page on the main card of UFC 303. He had been in talks to face Colby Covington. However, a bout between the two failed to materialize.

'The Future' recently blamed 'Chaos' for talks falling apart, accusing him of running from the matchup. Speaking in a video shared to his social media, Garry stated:

"'Question one, you said you wouldn't fight MVP, how come you're fighting him now?' I only want to fight up, but there's no one above me in the rankings available to fight right now. That's all because Colby Covington is running. So, I have a choice - I either wait or fight down and I'm not waiting."

He continued:

"I love fighting too much so anybody who's able to say yes and has the ability to say yes and the balls to back it up, I'm willing to fight to prove how good I am and MVP is the only one saying yes. So, MVP, I'm grateful that you said yes, but I've just got to prove that I'm better than you."

Check out Ian Garry's comments on Colby Covington and Michael 'Venom' Page below:

It will mark Garry's first bout since defeating Geoff Neal via split decision at UFC 298 to improve his professional mixed martial arts record to 14-0. Meanwhile, Page, who has a 22-2 record, will enter the octagon for the second time after defeating Kevin Holland via unanimous decision in his promotional debut at UFC 299.

It remains unclear what is next for Covington, who has not competed since losing to Leon Edwards via unanimous decision at UFC 296.

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Michael 'Venom' Page previously expressed an interest in facing Ian Garry

Soon after his unanimous decision victory over Kevin Holland, Michael 'Venom' Page revealed his interest in facing Ian Garry. Speaking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, he stated:

"Just looking at the rankings system, I think the one that probably make the most sense would be an Ian Garry considering he thought I wasn't even going to get past Kevin [Holland]. There was an interview that he did and they asked him his views on me and then he was like, 'Who's he fighting?' and they said Kevin and he said, 'Oh, he's not going to beat Kevin, there's no way he gets past Kevin. Very dismissive, which is fine."

He added:

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion. There's no need to be angry about it, but now, I've gotten past and maybe you could stop me. In the UK as well, it's perfect. [UK vs. Ireland], so that would be a lot of noise there. I think that's a good fight and I think he's ranked seventh. Seven is my lucky number."

Check out Michael 'Venom' Page's comments on facing Ian Garry below:

While Page did not get his wish of facing Garry in England, he will have the opportunity to climb the welterweight rankings with a victory. The No.13-ranked welterweight is unlikely to compete when the promotion heads to Manchester, England, for UFC 304 the following month.