EXCLUSIVE
‘He’s not normal’ – Michael Page blown away after training with Khamzat Chimaev ahead of Ian Garry fight at UFC 303
Michael ‘Venom’ Page has been working with the very best ahead of UFC 303.
The British KO artist hopes to make a giant leap towards title contention by taking out top welterweight contender Ian Garry at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
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Page bases his camp at London Shootfighters, but he’s travelled further afield to work with undefeated star Khamzat Chimaev and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall during his latest camp.
Training with two elite-level fighters has left the 37-year-old feeling inspired.
"More than anything, the best bit about these trips I’ve been taking is how much it’s inspired me to wanna work harder,”
"Seeing these guys, the position they’re in and working with them.
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“They say game recognises game. Real recognises real. When you see someone at a high level, even if it’s not in the same way as yourself, the respect and inspiration you get is [massive].
“For me, there were just loads of wow moments.”
Page was particularly impressed by Chimaev, who was recently forced out of a bout with Robert Whittaker after becoming 'violently ill' at the end of a hard camp.
He added: "Khamzat, he is an absolute animal, he’s a beast."
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"He’s not normal. He’s unbelievable. And to be there to witness it, experience it, feel it and be around the gym with him, it’s inspiring.
“I got back home and thought, ‘I need to do more. I need to do more.’
Throwback to Michael 'Venom' Page breaking an opponents skull with KO before throwing Pokemon ball at him
“For me, I sometimes need to keep seeking those moments because our job is difficult. It’s very tiring. It’s stress on our body and I am getting older.
“Searching for these moments just helps.”
After his fight with Garry, Page plans to be in Manchester on July 27 for UFC 304.
Leon Edwards will defend his 170lb belt against Belal Muhammad in the main event, and once he’s got through that there’s no obvious next contender for his crown.
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‘MVP’ hopes a win over Garry will be enough to get a title shot, but he is also willing to face ex-champion Kamaru Usman to prove his worth.
“I think that’s a great fight because of how reputable he is, how established he was and how much of a great fighter and champion he was,” Page said
"That is a fight when I win, there’s no way I can be denied a title opportunity.
"I’m just thinking about it logically. I have nothing against the guy, and I respect him for what he’s done and achieved and continues doing.
"Yeah, he’s sitting in a number one spot, and no one is really talking about him fighting. If he’s free, let’s make something happen."
However, Garry has been doing his best to get in Page's head by claiming he tried to bribe a member of the Irishman's team for information.
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“You and your jiu-jitsu coach are getting suspended for life,” Garry said in front of a packed audience. UFC Dana White was then on hand to keep them apart in the face off.
Watch the full interview on the .
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