LAS VEGAS – Michael Page heard it time and time again throughout his Bellator career, and finds it odd the criticism has stopped now that he’s in the UFC.
According to Page (22-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), the circumstances haven’t 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) would’ve garnered those same comments under his old banner.
“Outside of the main names, I’m a bit lazy with that,” Page told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “I haven’t watched loads. I’ve seen clips of him before. It’s weird. Honestly, it’s weird to me. This type of a fight, had it been outside the UFC, most people would’ve been like, ‘You’re fighting a can.’ Most people would’ve been like, ‘Why are you fighting this guy?’ They would’ve just had so many different things to say. It’s the exact same fight in the UFC and everyone’s opinions have changed now. ‘Oh, you’re fighting top-level guys,’ and this and that, now.
