Don't sleep on one of the best fights at UFC 303, as Irishman Ian Machado Garry is a -160 favorite over Michael "Venom" Page (+130 underdog) on the main card.
This Garry-Page welterweight is pure fun ahead of the new main event between Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira.
Here's our full Garry vs Page preview, featuring odds and best bets.
Ian Garry vs Michael Page Odds
Odds as of June 28
Per our odds calculator, a $100 bet on Garry at -160 pays out $162.50. The same $100 on MVP nets $230.
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How To Watch UFC 303: Pereira vs prochazka 2
Betting Preview: How Garry Wins
Whether you love him or hate him, you cannot deny Garry knows how to fight. Long, strong, and armed with a nasty striker's mentality, the Irishman stayed active and worked out a split-decision victory over Geoff Neal last time around. In that fight, Garry found plenty of success in the clinch, where he pinned Neal against the cage, caught his breath, and recalculated.
I reckon that same strategy can help him vs MVP, who's funky and dangerous in open space. Usually, Garry can win the reach game, but Page has a five-inch reach advantage, which will help the Englishman dictate the pace of this fight.
I'm happy to bet Garry ML ahead of UFC 303. If anything, my props would lean toward as a decision, as it might take a round for him to figure out MVP, a guy who has suffered just one KO loss in his 24-fight career.
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Betting Preview: How Venom Page Wins
Garry got absolutely blasted (and nearly KO'd) at UFC 285 by Song Kenang. Ultimately, the Irishman recovered and won, but this was notable. Garry recognized he rushed in and got punished by a counter hook.
MVP can frustrate the best fighters. He would be wise to dance like a madman and set some traps for Garry. Again, Garry is best when he's calm and can use the fence as leverage, either by walking his opponent backward or resting in the clinch. Page needs to bait him to the center and initiate a striking duel.
It's not Page's style to induce a heavy pace, but that could be his best avenue to victory. Page must feint and throw hard to interrupt Garry's "flow state."
I'd bet MVP on the ML. I don't have a good feeling about anything further.
Garry vs Page Picks
This could be a very closely contested fight, and I'm riding with Garry at the end of the day. He's younger, faster, and often gets in these trances in the Octagon where he looks unbeatable.