After his successful debut at UFC 299 this past Saturday, UFC commentator, Michael Bisping, has offered his suggestion of who Michael ‘Venom’ Page should fight next.
‘MVP’ made his highly anticipated UFC debut against Kevin Holland, and schooled ‘The Trailblazer’ over three non-competitive rounds.
With the UFC rankings update going live this Tuesday morning, the 36-year-old has entered the 170lb mix at rank 13. Despite that, because of his name value and popularity, Page can likely expect his next fight to be against someone considerably higher ranked.
Before his UFC 299 fight, the London Shootfighters product spoke about the potential of fighting current welterweight king, Leon Edwards, in a stadium in the UK. For years, the UFC has dismissed the possibility of hosting a stadium show in the UK, for factors such as the weather and the viewing experience for fans.
With the nation now benefitting from two UFC champions in Edwards and Tom Aspinall, the likelihood of a stadium show could increase significantly.
Michael Bisping offers opponent suggestion for ‘MVP’s’ next fight
Speaking to his viewers on his YouTube channel, UFC commentator, Michael Bisping, suggested the ideal next opponent for ‘Venom’ Page, saying that it needs to be a ‘step up’ in the rankings.
There are multiple options for Page looking ahead, as every fighter in the top 10 of the welterweight division, is currently unbooked. Bisping, though, only wants to see one particular fighter to match up with Page next, and that fighter is, Ian Machado Garry.
“The welterweight division is spicing up in a big way. Ian Machado Garry is at number six. I think you leapfrog Michael Page right up to a number six fight with Ian Machado Garry.” Bisping offered.
The Irishman’s last fight came against Geoff Neal at UFC 298, with the 26-year-old edging a split decision. Before that fight, Garry predicted that ‘there’s no f****** way’ that ‘MVP’ would beat Kevin Holland.
Fast forward just over a month and Kevin Holland didn’t even come close to Page through 15 minutes of action.
“As a fan, I would love to see that fight. They’re both very tall Ian Garry’s 6ft 3, Michael Page’s 6ft 3. They’re both strikers they’re not going to wrestle, we’d see two tremendously talented strikers throwing down and it would be a lot of fun.” Bisping added.
The former middleweight champion also suggested that the stakes attached to that potential fight could be huge for their title aspirations.
“The winner of that fight between Michael Page and Ian Garry potentially then would get to fight Leon Edwards in a stadium in the UK, could you imagine that? For all of those reasons Ian Garry vs Michael Page, sign me up.”