Michael Page has weighed in on the ongoing speculation surrounding the next welterweight title fight involving Islam Makhachev. Since capturing the 170-pound belt from Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last November, Makhachev has yet to defend his title, focusing mainly on targeting former champion Kamaru Usman for his next bout. Meanwhile, Ian Machado Garry has hinted strongly that he may be Makhachev’s forthcoming opponent, stirring intrigue among fans and analysts alike. The focus keyword “Michael Page on Makhachev fight” is relevant as Page provides in-depth insight into how Garry could challenge Makhachev’s dominance.
Analyzing Garry’s Skills and Strategy Against Makhachev
Michael ‘Venom’ Page, who suffered a unanimous decision loss to Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303 in June 2024, shared his thoughts on Garry’s skill set in an exclusive interview with Kyle Dimond from Bloody Elbow. Page acknowledged Garry’s impressive abilities, particularly highlighting his fight against Belal Muhammad.
“To be fair, his fight against Belal [Muhammad] somewhat – not shocked me – but I was very impressed with that fight,”
Page said.
He emphasized Garry’s intelligence in the cage, noting his effective striking, considerable reach advantage, and exceptional ability to avoid takedowns.
“I do think he’s a very smart fighter. He’s got great striking ability, obviously his length is going to play a part, and he’s difficult to take down and keep down. He gets up. He knows his positions, and his jiu-jitsu is at a very decent level,”
Page added.
Challenges Posed by Makhachev’s Wrestling Prowess
Despite Garry’s strengths, Page is mindful of Islam Makhachev’s elite wrestling, which has been the deciding factor in many of his fights. He highlighted how Makhachev’s takedown game differentiates him from other opponents Garry has faced.
“Makhachev, if he gets you down, it’s a very different game to fighting somebody else,”
Page explained.
Referring to Jack Della Maddalena as a “scramble king,” Page observed that even Della Maddalena struggled to get up when under Makhachev’s control, which illustrates the Dagestani’s top-tier dominance on the ground.
Page believes this might be the biggest obstacle Garry encounters within a potential five-round title fight.
“I do think [Makhachev] will get to him at least once in a five-round fight, to finish a submission. If he can stay on his feet, keep the striking, and damage him enough to weaken him, so even if he does get taken down, he doesn’t have the strength to finish him. But he’s not really a damaging striker, he’s a more pointy, keep his distance type of fighter,”
Page elaborated.
“So, it’s gonna be a difficult one for him to do, but he’s a very smart competitor, and he is talented.”
Upcoming Return and Future Fights for Michael Page
After his loss to Garry, Michael Page will return to welterweight next month, marking his first fight in the division since that defeat. Although his recent career highlights include significant middleweight victories over Shara Magomedov and Jared Cannonier in 2025, Page is now preparing for a 170-pound bout against Sam Patterson at UFC London on March 21.
“Not (a fight) that I expected or was even looking for,”
Page confessed last week.
Expressing frustration, he acknowledged the challenge of facing an opponent he has previously trained alongside, reducing the competitive excitement for him.
“It’s annoying for me because it’s not just an opponent that feels further down the ladder, he’s also someone that I’ve worked with before, as well, in preparation for other fights, so I know him well, so it’s another reason why I didn’t really want to have this fight,”
Page said. He further stressed his desire to face bigger names, noting that since his last fight he has requested bouts against many contenders but has encountered reluctance from others.
“It’s definitely not the fight I was looking for… Definitely not a fight I wanted… I’m not sure what winning a fight like this means outside of a potential highlight reel.”
The Continuing Debate Over Makhachev’s Place in MMA
Amid these developments, fans and experts continue debating whether Islam Makhachev’s UFC legacy has surpassed that of his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Questions remain about how Makhachev compares in terms of undefeated records and multi-division accomplishments, reflecting the broader interest in the welterweight division’s future.
What Lies Ahead for the Title Picture
The rivalry between Makhachev and Kamaru Usman remains a tantalizing possibility, while Ian Machado Garry’s emerging role as a legitimate challenger adds further intrigue. Michael Page’s analysis suggests that Garry’s success will depend heavily on his ability to avoid Makhachev’s takedowns and maintain distance through precise striking. The upcoming bouts, including Page’s return and Makhachev’s eventual title defense, will significantly influence the trajectory of the welterweight division and set the stage for high-stakes matchups throughout 2026.
