Ian Machado Garry vs Michael Page Prediction: will experience or expertise decide this bout?

The upcoming bout between Ian Machado and Michael Page is a main card (fight 9 of 13) in the welterweight UFC 303 event. Ian Machado has never lost a fight, winning 14 in total, while Michael Page has lost just two, winning 22 in total. This fight seems to be an interesting one, as fans can catch up live with the event via ESPN.

Ian Machado Garry comes into this bout with an impressive professional record of 14-0-0. Out of all his wins, 7 were knockouts, 6 were decisions, and he won only one bout by submission. In the amateur division, Garry won six of his seven fights, all by knockouts, but lost by a split decision against Andreas Binder. In professional MMA, Garry has never lost a bout. He fought three times in 2019 when he began his professional career and won one by a unanimous decision and two by knockouts. He fought twice in 2020 and won all by knockouts. He won one bout by unanimous decision and two by knockouts in his three bouts in 2021. All his bouts in 2022 were won by unanimous decisions; only one of his bouts in 2023 was by submission. Presently, Garry is coming off a split decision win against Geoff Neal in February 2024, and he hopes to win against Michael Page so as to keep up his professional unbeaten streak.

Michael Page currently ranks as the 12th best MMA welterweight fighter. He has a professional record of 22 wins and 2 losses. Michael Page is a very experienced fighter with 12 years of experience. Beginning his professional career in 2012, Michael Page had a 16-year winning streak, which was later broken by Douglas Lima in a game that ended in a knockout in 2019. After then, he kept another six-straight winning streak, which was broken by Logan Storley in a game that ended in a split decision. Michael is currently on a two-game winning streak against Goiti Yamauchi (KO) and Kevin Holland (UD). Out of 22 total wins, Michael has won 14 by knockouts, showing his prowess in the welterweight division to knock out opponents. This bout will be his second bout of the year as he aims to extend his winning streak.

This matchup is expected to be a thrilling contest between experience and youth. Michael Page, the most experienced fighter in this bout, has a notable reach advantage. His impressive record includes 15 consecutive wins before his first loss in 2019. Page is determined to prevent Garry from achieving his 15th consecutive win. On the other hand, Garry is youthful and has been more active in recent years, with more fights under his belt in the last three years compared to Page. Garry also boasts more UFC experience with seven wins, while Page has just one.

This closely contested bout will likely be decided by the judges, making it challenging to pick a definite winner. Page has a history of defeating fighters up to five years younger than him, but this match presents a significant test due to the 11-year age gap. The key question is whether Page's experience will help him handle a younger opponent with quick hands and sharp jabs. While it is difficult to make a clear prediction, I am slightly leaning towards Garry for the win.