It means a lot to receive praise from Jon Anik. And that's why it caught my eye when the UFC commentator spoke so highly of welterweight Ian Machado Garry in a recent interview with Odds Shark.
Garry certainly takes some heat for his polarizing, outspoken personality, but it's impossible to deny his achievements in the Octagon. Already 7-0 in the UFC with three knockout wins, the Irishman has a bright future ahead of him.
"I fully expect Ian Machado Garry to be a future UFC welterweight champion," Anik said on June 20, teeing up UFC 303 this weekend. "We just need movement in this division."
[ufc_303_knockout_insurance:BET99-2374158]
A Stacked Welterweight Division
While Leon Edwards is the 170-pound champ, there is a big three of young contenders on the rise in the welterweight division: Shavkat Rakhmonov (ranked No. 3), Jack Della Maddalena (ranked No. 5), and Garry (ranked No. 7).
Garry and JDM are very similar fighters, while Shavkat is one of the promotion's most terrifying grapplers and an imminent title contender.
If you polled the UFC fanbase on who would realize more welterweight greatness, Garry or Rakhmonov, 95% of fans would likely say Rakhmonov, Anik explained. In a way, the UFC play-by-play man thinks Garry deserves more love.
"I think Machado Garry right now is an underrated fighter," said Anik. "And I know a lot of the fanbase vehemently disagrees with that sentiment, and I'm okay with it."
Is Garry Misunderstood?
Garry is easy to hate on. He's loudmouthed and unafraid to pick a beef with other fighters on social media, earning him a reputation as a crude antagonist.
Anik isn't as bothered by Garry's antics, characterizing him as thoughtful and honest on the mic, albeit "grating" to some folks. That noise tends to distract mixed martial arts fans from Garry's talent in the cage.
"I just feel like he's a lot better than people are giving him credit for," said Anik. "I think sometimes, not unlike a guy like Sean Strickland, his persona leads the dance to such an extent that we don't talk enough about the skills."
It's true. Garry has talked the talk and walked the walk in his three-year UFC career. Anik pointed to Garry's recoverability after Song Kenan knocked him down at UFC 285 and he stormed back for a KO win, but Venom Page poses a whole new challenge.
How Garry Beats MVP At UFC 303
Garry remains a narrow -138 favorite over Page (+110), which suggests we have a closely contested fight coming this weekend. "The Future" recently disputed MVP being characterized as a "legend" in MMA, but I'm going to disagree with the kid on that one.
Michael Venom Page is a dancer in the Octagon, hopping back and forth, angling his body to avoid damage. A deep highlight reel of wild knockouts also speaks to MVP's resume in this sport.
[ufc_303_bet_25_get_5:BET99-2374158]
Anik gave Garry credit for putting his undefeated pro record on the line against Page, who is ranked much lower than Garry at 170 pounds. Anik also pointed out that Garry's recent training with Diego Lima, who also coaches Charles Oliveira at Chute Boxe in Brazil, could come in handy.
"I do think it would be smart for Machado Garry, even if he's feinting takedowns, to try to put some things in Michael Venom Page's head … [Page] just moves so well, and his vision is just insane," Anik said.
As Anik mentioned earlier, fight fans are craving some heavy movement in this welterweight division. This Garry-Page fight will provide a few more answers Saturday, and you can read Odds Shark's full fight preview, featuring odds and picks, here.