Ian Machado Garry has accused Michael “Venom” Page of trying to bribe the Irishman’s trainers before UFC 303.
Machado Garry and Page will meet in a welterweight bout on Saturday (June 29) when UFC 303 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Machado Garry, 26, will put his undefeated record on the line against the 37-year-old veteran, who moved to the UFC from Bellator this year.
The tension in the run-up to the fight has been quite high in recent weeks and this tension escalated at the press conference on Thursday when Machado Garry accused the Londoner of trying to bribe his trainers to get information.
“I’ve already destroyed this man’s confidence so much,” Machado Garry said. “He knows I don’t have to tell him what I’m talking about. He knows exactly what I’m talking about.”
“Your confidence is in the trash. You know what I mean, it’s going to come out. It’s going to come out, kid, but your brain is fucking looking for excuses. Do you want to say it or should I? Tell people.
“Did you and your team offer thousands of dollars to get information from my guys in Chute Boxe? Did you message someone and offer thousands for information, but still couldn’t get into the camp? You couldn’t get into the camp; the Chute Boxe family is too close.
“Your little shitty jiu-jitsu coach offered one of my Brazilian friends money and you got nothing. Saturday night you’re screwed. You and your jiu-jitsu coach are suspended for life.”
Page laughed at the allegations and told Machado Garry to “shut the damn thing.” The Independent has contacted Page’s representatives for comment.
Page made a successful UFC debut in March, defeating Kevin Holland on points. A month earlier, Machado defeated Garry Geoff Neal by decision.
The highlight of UFC 303 was supposed to be Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return against Michael Chandler, but a broken toe forced the former two-weight champion to withdraw from the fight.
The new main event will see Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka face off in a rematch for the light heavyweight title. Pereira stopped former champion Prochazka in November to win the vacant belt. This time he will defend the gold.
