LAS VEGAS Michael Page heard it time and time again throughout his Bellator career, and finds it odd the criticism has stopped now that hes in the UFC.
According to Page (22-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), the circumstances havent changed but the narrative has. Labeled a can crusher by critics during his 19-fight tenure with Bellator, Page thinks a matchup like the one he has at UFC 303 in Ian Machado Garry (14-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) wouldve garnered those same comments under his old banner.
Outside of the main names, Im a bit lazy with that, Page told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. I havent watched loads. Ive seen clips of him before. Its weird. Honestly, its weird to me. This type of a fight, had it been outside the UFC, most people wouldve been like, Youre fighting a can. Most people wouldve been like, Why are you fighting this guy? They wouldve just had so many different things to say. Its the exact same fight in the UFC and everyones opinions have changed now. Oh, youre fighting top-level guys, and this and that, now.
I remember at one point, I had a lot of people saying I wouldnt be able to contend in the top 10. Now, Im fighting someone whos ranked seventh, and a lot of people are like, Yeah, youre going to kick his ass. It changes so drastically. For me, its just another fight. This is what I enjoy the most. Fight day, I just try to be me and try to be as entertaining as possible and have a holiday.
Page, 37, indicated the theoretical comparison he draws stems from Garrys abilities, yes, but more so from a picture painted by viewers who think talented fighters only compete inside the UFC.
I think its standards and expectations put on myself but also, just how warped peoples views are of reality, Page said. Ive been saying for many, many years, I spar a lot of UFC guys. I already know Im at that level. I didnt come here to prove it to anyone else. Its a great cherry on top but I wasnt coming here to prove it to everybody else. I already knew I could do that. But what Im saying is, for example, the likes of Ross Houston, I remember when getting that fight, getting the negative pushback I got from that fight, but they came from the same place. (Its) pretty much the same thing.
The difference is one went to Bellator and one went to UFC. I understand the magnitude of UFC and the branding and stuff and I get that, but I feel like sometimes people are fooled by the branding and not the actual fighters themselves. Theyre not actually analyzing fighters and fights themselves.
Saturdays fight at UFC 303 will mark Pages 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 decision.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkies event hub for UFC 303.
Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie