Ian Garry thought he had played the game right. He stepped up when the UFC needed him the most, taking on the undefeated behemoth Shavkat Rakhmonov on short notice and delivering an intense fight that no one expected. It was not just a fight but a war. One in which ‘The Future’ appeared to be inches away from securing his most significant win. While he did lose, it was not without establishing his worth at the top. However, just months later, he is witnessing Dana White and the UFC dramatically rewrite the rules of the game. Garry’s Road to Redemption? Put on hold. The rightful title challenger? Sidelined. Instead, the UFC gave the opportunity to someone else. And Garry’s not having it.
“I had a No. 1 contender’s fight with a guy I lost 3-2 to. Now that guy needs to get a knee reconstruction, so instead, they’re giving it to Jack, who hasn’t fought in over a year. But that’s alright; I’ll be back soon,” Garry stated on Instagram. It wasn’t just frustration but disbelief. He was informed that losses had consequences. That he needed to earn his way back. However, it appears that the same regulations do not apply to Jack Della Maddalena. Are inactivity and injuries no longer deal-breakers when it benefits the Dana White-led promotion?
What stings more? Garry put everything on the line. He was the one who took on the dangerous fight. When Belal Muhammad withdrew, he ensured that Rakhmonov had an opponent. He was the one who took an unbeaten wrecking machine to its limits and sacrificed his own ‘0.’ And now, instead of being rewarded—or given a fair chance at redemption—he’s instructed to sit back and wait. Meanwhile, Maddalena, who hasn’t had to prove himself in over a year, approaches a title opportunity as if it were a gift. So, for ‘The Future,’ the hypocrisy could hardly be more obvious.
Think back to UFC 296. Colby Covington got a title shot against Leon Edwards, solely based on the fact that he weighed in as a backup at UFC 286 in London. ‘Chaos’ did not have a ranked win at the time, and his last win before the title fight was against Jorge Masvidal in early 2022.
But Ian Garry refuses to sit quietly. He understands there’s just one way to push the UFC’s hand. “I would like to fight International Fight Week, June 28,” he declared. It’s not just about going back into the winning column; it’s about making himself undeniable in the eyes of the head honcho and the top brass. If Dana White and the UFC believe they can push him away, they are in for a terrible surprise, as per the 15-1-0 fighter. But while he has vengeance in his mind, it is possible that he may be skipped over once again.
Ian Garry may be skipped over once again
Even as Garry prepares for his comeback, the UFC’s ever-changing landscape may sideline him once more. His aim may be International Fight Week, but it does not guarantee he will be the next in line. This weekend, Leon Edwards and Sean Brady will compete in the main event of UFC London, with the winner potentially moving ahead in the title race. Rocky, a former champion, aims to reclaim his crown after losing to Belal Muhammad, while Brady is on a hot winning streak. If either man puts up a dominant performance, ‘The Future’ may see another rival jump him in the rankings.
Ian Garry may well be aware of this. He’s spent months calling out Colby Covington, hoping to force a fight that will rocket him back into the mix. However, following Covington’s crushing loss to Joaquin Buckley, that option may no longer be viable. Meanwhile, ‘The Future’ believes he should already be ahead of Edwards in the rankings. After all, he got the closest to finishing Shavkat Rakhmonov, almost forcing a tap in their chaotic fifth-round scramble.
If MMA math mattered, he’d be second in line. But in the UFC, fairness is honestly a myth, and Garry is well aware of this. If he is being overlooked, the Irishman will not take it lying down. This isn’t just about the title shot anymore; it’s personal. He stepped forward when the UFC needed him. He gambled everything. Nevertheless, he is the one being left behind. The chip on his shoulder grows bigger, and when he eventually returns to the Octagon, his fans would expect nothing less than a statement. So what do you think? Do you believe that the UFC and Dana White are working against Ian Machado Garry? Let us know in the comments.
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