Paul Hughes Expects Ian Garry to 'Make It Look Easy' Against Michael Page

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Paul Hughes has a bold prediction for Ian Garry’s upcoming UFC fight.

Garry will trade leather with former Bellator MMA superstar Michael Page at UFC 303 on June 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Page, who has built a career off of highlight-reel finishes, expects to outclass Garry on the feet. While it is almost a pick ‘em matchup, Hughes predicts an easy night at the office for his friend and fellow countryman.

“I think it’s a very tough fight, but I honestly think that Ian’s gonna make it look easy,” Hughes said at the Bellator Dublin post-fight press conference. “I think he’s gonna make it look easy against MVP. I think he’s gonna chop him down low, and I think Ian’s obviously very fast. I think I can see Ian get him out of there to be honest, like Ian’s on another level. Us Irish, we do it differently. And I’m a huge fan of MVP, I think he’s incredible. But I think it’s gonna be another moment where Ian does the business and everyone else just sits back and goes, ‘Oh goddamn, he’s so good.’ So, shout out to Ian.”

Garry is currently undefeated in seven UFC outings and fresh off a unanimous decision win over Geoff Neal. Meanwhile, “MVP” scored a flashy unanimous decision win over Kevin Holland in his promotional debut at UFC 299 in March.

Meanwhile, Hughes scored a brutal second-round TKO win over Bobby King in front of a home crowd in Dublin in his Bellator — which is now owned by Professional Fighters League — debut on Saturday. While Hughes is looking forward to entering the PFL regular season, the former Cage Warriors champ also wants to headline a card in his hometown of Belfast.

“A millie is on my mind but also what’s on my mind, something I need to do before my career’s over, is fight in Belfast,” Hughes said. “I have to fight in Belfast. That’s why I mentioned it there tonight. If you thought that was fun in Dublin, just wait til you see what I would bring to Belfast, because of course, that’s where I fight out of. That’s the beauty of the PFL acquiring Bellator and having obviously the PFL season, the Bellator Champions Series, the PFL Europe — there’s a lot on offer and it’s an absolute privilege to be part of this promotion.”

Hughes announced his free agency after completeing his Cage Warriors contract with a first-round TKO win over Fabiano Silva in April. While Hughes was courted by a number of major promotions, the PFL secured the signing just weeks later. Hughes recently reiterated that the offer from “another” promotion was nowhere close to that of the PFL. Hughes also explained that it wasn’t the monetary part of the contract that made him choose the PFL over its competition. Hughes notes that it’s unlikely that he would get the opportunity to headline a card in front of a home crowd this early in any other promotion.

“It wasn’t even close [to signing withthe UFC]. Because the PFL showed their interest in me eight months ago at this point,” Hughes said. “And they told me, ‘We want you.’ Whenever I became a free agent, they were just like, ‘We need you.’ And they made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse. It’s not just a monetary thing. People think it is, it really isn’t. Would I have got to headline in Dublin if I was in another promotion, right away? Would I be able to potentially have some sway in the promotion, potentially headline in Belfast? No. So, these are the things that I want and the PFL are just giving me so much opportunity. And the longer I’ve been here the more chuffed I am with my decision.”