Undefeated welterweight Ian Machado Garry was hoping to face former three-time title challenger Colby Covington in the UFC 303 co-main event on June 29, but Covington will not be ready to fight until this fall. With Covington off the table, Garry has shifted gears.
According to Garry, he’s verbally agreed to fight Michael “Venom” Page but isn’t sure if Page will have enough time to cut the weight.
“Colby is officially out,” Garry said to talkSPORT MMA. “He sustained an injury in December and he medically won’t be cleared until September. I don’t believe a f**king second of it. I think he’s running. I don’t think he wants anything to do with me, and he’s running. But, that’s where I’m at.”
Garry has been offered other opponents but nothing has been finalized. Garry believes they’re all ‘running’ from him.
“There’s been other people that have been offered, and they’re running, too,” he said. “They’re all coming up with excuses. At the end of the day, whoever wants to show up across for me in that Octagon on June 29th.
“I’m sick of this ranking stuff. I’m in a position where everyone above me is injured and then Leon [Edwards] and Belal [Muhammad] are facing off against each other,” Garry continued. “I have no interest in fighting below me, but I’m kind of in a position where I have no choice other than to wait. And last thing I want do is wait. I want to be active. I want fight. I want to compete. That’s what I love to do, so anyone that is willing to stand in that octagon across from me June 29th and get their ass kicked, that’s who I want.”
“I’ve said, ‘Yes,;” to Michael “Venom” Page. “I’ve said ‘yes’ to that name. Him and his coaches are deciding because he feels a bit heavy. He’s a bit heavy to make to make weight in seven weeks’ time, but I’ve said ‘yes.’”
“They’ve offered me Colby. I’ve said ‘yes’ to ‘MVP.’ I’ve said ‘yes’ to Sean Brady. I’ve said ‘yes’ to I don’t even know his name, the Uzbekistani guy, if he had won. I’ve said ‘yes’ to Joaquin [Buckley]. I’ve said yes to every single person that’s come my way.”