Dana White Announces Huge New Welterweight Fight To UFC 303

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 10: UFC CEO Dana White is seen on stage during the UFC Fight Night ... [+] ceremonial weigh-in at Enterprise Center on May 10, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

If you were worried about UFC 303 not having a title on the line in any fight, that's still the case, but another major bout has been added to spice up the International Fight Week card.

On Friday, UFC CEO Dana White announced the addition of No. 7 Ian Machado Garry vs. No. 13 Michael Venom Page.

This matchup of pure strikers will undoubtedly land on the main card behind the main event that will see the return of Conor McGregor against former Bellator champion Michael Chandler.

Anaheim , CA - February 17: Ian Machado Garry (blue gloves) defeats Geoff Neal (red gloves) by ... [+] split decision during UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA., on Saturday February 17, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Garry had been chasing a fight with Colby Covington, but the brash American showed little interest in facing the equally outspoken up-and-coming welterweight. Garry is coming off an impressive win over Geoff Neal at UFC 298 in February.

Fighting on the undercard with McGregor, a fighter Garry has patterned his style after, is likely an honor, and it provides a massive platform for the undefeated Irishman to grow his fanbase. However, it won't be an easy night for Garry.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: (R-L) Michael 'Venom' Page of England punches Kevin Holland in a ... [+] welterweight fight during the UFC 299 event at Kaseya Center on March 09, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

MVP is one of the premier strikers in combat sports. After a long career in Bellator, Page shined in his UFC debut against Kevin Holland at UFC 300 in April. Page easily dismantled Holland with his quickness, striking accuracy, and elusiveness. He will represent Garry's stiffest competition, and the winner seems destined to face a Top-5 opponent in their next battle.

Here is a look at the entire card as of May 24. Because 11 fights have already been confirmed, per UFC.com, and a rumored battle between Andrei Arlovski and Martin Buday could be announced soon, we could be close to a finalized card. The fights for the June 29 event for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas are here.

Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler Jamahal Hill vs. Carlos Ulberg Ian Machado Garry vs. Michael “Venom” Page Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson Ricky Simon vs. Vinicius Oliveira Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs. Gillian Robertson Joe Pyfer vs. Marc-Andre Barriault Cub Swanson vs. Andre Fili Charles Jourdain vs. Jean Silva Rei Tsuruya vs. Carlos Hernandez Payton Talbott vs. Yanis Ghemmouri

Even if the Arlovski-Buday fight is added, a case could still be made for one more main-card-level addition to the event. McGregor is a major attraction, but it still feels light from a star-power standpoint. One more matchup with two ranked fighters would put this card in a lovely spot.

More Recent UFC 303 News

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 11: Carlos Ulberg of New Zealand reacts after his TKO victory over Alonzo ... [+] Menifield in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Enterprise Center on May 11, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Initially, Jamahal Hill was set to face Khalil Rountree on the UFC 303 main card. However, Rountree was suspended after testing positive for a banned substance. The UFC quickly pivoted to provide Hill with a strong opponent. In steps Carlos Ulberg, a 33-year-old rising star from New Zealand.

Ulberg has won seven straight fights, including a 12-second demolition of Alonzo Menifield at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Nascimento earlier this month in St. Louis. Because of his quick finish, Ulberg was readily available to take advantage of an opportunity to leap from No. 11 in the UFC's light heavyweight rankings to the Top 5 with a win over former champion Hill, currently ranked No. 3.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Jamahal Hill prepares to face Alex Pereira of Brazil in the UFC light ... [+] heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Hill last fought in the main event of UFC 300 when he was flattened by light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in the first round. He’ll be looking to re-establish himself as a top contender at 205 pounds.

Stay tuned for future developments with UFC 303 and other combat sports events.