LAS VEGAS – Michael Web page heard it time and time once more all through his Bellator profession, and finds it odd the criticism has stopped now that he’s within the UFC.
Based on Web page (22-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), the circumstances haven’t modified however the narrative has. Labeled a “can crusher” by critics throughout his 19-fight tenure with Bellator, Web page thinks a matchup just like the one he has at UFC 303 in Ian Machado Garry (14-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) would’ve garnered those self same feedback below his previous banner.
“Outdoors of the primary names, I’m a bit lazy with that,” Web page instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters at a pre-fight information convention Wednesday. “I haven’t watched masses. I’ve seen clips of him earlier than. It’s bizarre. Truthfully, it’s bizarre to me. This sort of a struggle, had it been exterior the UFC, most individuals would’ve been like, ‘You’re combating a can.’ Most individuals would’ve been like, ‘Why are you combating this man?’ They’d’ve simply had so many various issues to say. It’s the very same struggle within the UFC and everybody’s opinions have modified now. ‘Oh, you’re combating top-level guys,’ and this and that, now.
“I keep in mind at one level, I had lots of people saying I wouldn’t be capable of contend within the prime 10. Now, I’m combating somebody who’s ranked seventh, and lots of people are like, ‘Yeah, you’re going to kick his ass.’ It modifications so drastically. For me, it’s simply one other struggle. That is what I get pleasure from essentially the most. Struggle day, I simply attempt to be me and attempt to be as entertaining as doable and have a vacation.”
Web page, 37, indicated the theoretical comparability he attracts stems from Garry’s talents, sure, however extra so from an image painted by viewers who suppose proficient fighters solely compete contained in the UFC.
“I believe it’s requirements and expectations placed on myself but additionally, simply how warped folks’s views are of actuality,” Web page mentioned. “I’ve been saying for a lot of, a few years, I spar a whole lot of UFC guys. I already know I’m at that degree. I didn’t come right here to show it to anybody else. It’s an incredible cherry on prime however I wasn’t coming right here to show it to everyone else. I already knew I might do this. However what I’m saying is, for instance, the likes of Ross Houston, I keep in mind when getting that struggle, getting the destructive pushback I acquired from that struggle, however they got here from the identical place. (It’s) just about the identical factor.
“The distinction is one went to Bellator and one went to UFC. I perceive the magnitude of UFC and the branding and stuff and I get that, however I really feel like typically persons are fooled by the branding and never the precise fighters themselves. They’re not truly analyzing fighters and fights themselves.”
Saturday’s struggle at UFC 303 will mark Web page’s second with the promotion after he signed with the promotion in late 2023. He debuted in March at UFC 299 when he defeated Kevin Holland by unanimous choice.
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