Gilbert Burns thinks the sky is the limit for Ian Machado Garry.
Garry (15-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) defeated Michael Page (22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) by unanimous decision in this past Saturday’s UFC 303 main card opener at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Garry received some criticism for his grappling approach, but Burns (22-7 MMA, 15-7 UFC) praised the Irishman for implementing a smart game plan against a dangerous striker in Page.
“I think in that fight, he wanted to showcase his improvements – and that’s the best (way) to show your improvements in the grappling and (Page is) dangerous in the striking,” Burns said on Morning Kombat.
“I think it was a very close fight, but I think Ian showed a lot of improvements in his grappling. This guy is only 26. He showed a lot of potential. He has dangerous striking with good IQ, and his jiu-jitsu is getting better and better.”
Burns has a good relationship with Garry, but has no issues fighting him if they get matched up. Garry called out Shavkat Rakhomonov after his win, and each fighter has opposing views on how their training sessions at Kill Cliff FC went.
Having trained with both fighters at Kill Cliff FC, Burns gave some insight on their sparring sessions.
“I think he’s very tough,” Burns said on Garry. “He’s scrappy. He’s getting so much better. I even remember those sessions with Shavkat (Chimaev). On the feet, he was doing good – very good. It was just getting way harder when Shavkat was taking him down. But now, he’s putting a lot of emphasis on his grappling.
“That’s one fight that might happen – Ian and Shavkat. That would be a good fight. … He’s good. People are still doubting him, but he’s that good. People should start believing a little bit more in the guy. He’s only 26. Guy’s confidence is very good, very high IQ, works very hard, crazy gas tank, good volume. I think he’s going to do super well with a lot of the guys in the division.”
Burns meets Sean Brady in a UFC Fight Night main event Sept. 7 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.
