Tag: UFC 297

Ian Garry hits back at UFC foe Sean Strickland amid rivalry: ‘Don’t ever project your pain onto my family again’

Ian Garry hits out at UFC rival Sean Strickland don't ever project your pain onto my familyUndefeated welterweight contender, Ian Garry has accused undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland of “projecting” his childhood trauma and life-views…

Ian Garry hits out at UFC rival Sean Strickland don't ever project your pain onto my family

Undefeated welterweight contender, Ian Garry has accused undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland of “projecting” his childhood trauma and life-views on him and his family amid a recent rivalry between the two, urging the champion to first point the mirror to himself rather than anyone else.

Garry, the current number ten ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since he turned in a one-sided unanimous decision win over Neil Magny back in August at UFC 292, landing a shutout judging win over the division’s most winning-est fighter.

And as for Strickland, fresh from a September upset win over Israel Adesanya to land the undisputed middleweight title in Australia, the outspoken kingpin returns to the Octagon at UFC 297 this month in Canada, taking on the unbeaten Dricus du Plessis in a heated grudge match between the two.

Engaging in a scuffle and high-profile brawl with Pretoria native, du Plessis at UFC 296 on fighter row, Strickland claimed that fighters should never cross the line on childhood trauma, family, or a fighter’s spouse during their attempt to get under their skin.

Ian Garry hits back at Sean Strickland

However, fighting back at Strickland after the middleweight champion targeted Garry and his relationship with his manager, Layla Anna-Lee, the Dubliner accused the former of “projecting” his trauma onto him.

“How the tables have turned,” Ian Garry posted on Instagram. “You dish it out in the lowest most vile manner but can’t take a pinch. You attacked my wife incessantly and obsessively calling her a pedophile, it’s clear to see your childhood trauma showing. You claimed you were ‘giving me advice’ before, well, now it’s my turn to return the favor. You should shut your mouth and focus on the mirror because you have enough serious issues you need to solve.”

“I wish you all the best with them,” Ian Garry continued. “Don’t ever project your pain onto me and my daily again. Happy New Year.” 

Prior to Garry’s comments on Strickland’s feud with du Plessis, the Portmarnock striker laid out a planned ‘hitlist’ of opponents for this year inside the Octagon, which included his UFC 298 return against Geoff Neal, and a grudge match with Colby Covington, as well as a supposed middleweight title siege against Strickland himself. 

Who wins in a future title fight: Sean Strickland or Ian Garry?

Ian Garry shares ‘Hitlist’ for 2024 fighting season, eyes clashes with UFC stars Colby Covington, Sean Strickland

Ian Garry calls for 2024 fights with UFC rivals Colby Covington and Sean Strickland in hitlistUnbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has put together a three-man hitlist for his 2024 season in the Octagon –…

Ian Garry calls for 2024 fights with UFC rivals Colby Covington and Sean Strickland in hitlist

Unbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has put together a three-man hitlist for his 2024 season in the Octagon – beginning with his UFC 298 fight against Geoff Neal, and ending with an apparent middleweight fight against current champion, Sean Strickland. 

Garry, the current number ten ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since August of last year, most recently turning in a dominant unanimous decision win over perennial welterweight winner, Neil Magny.

And forced from a December comeback against Vicente Luque through a battle with pneumonia, Garry is set for an appearance at UFC 298 in February in Anaheim, California, in the form of a rescheduled fight with rival, Neal.

Receiving a recent call out from former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington following the culmination of UFC 296 last month, Garry’s personal life and marriage with manager, Layla Anna-Lee has been the point of interest for the Clovis native in recent weeks.

Another fighter who has had his fair share to say on Garry’s relationship with Anna-Lee comes in the form of undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, who headlines UFC 297 this month against Dricus du Plessis.

Apparently locking eyes at the UFC Performance Institue in Las Vegas last month, Strickland urged Garry to settle their differences in the form of a melee, with the Dubliner weighing up a potential middleweight leap.

Ian Garry plans for Colby Covington, Sean Strickland fight in 2024

And on his official Instagram today, the Portmarnock striker has put together a ‘hitlist’ for this year, containing the above-mentioned, Neal, as well as Covington, and middleweight titleholder, Strickland. 

“Making my list for 2024,” Ian Garry posted on Instagram.

Ian Garry shares ‘Hitlist’ for 2024 fighting season, eyes clashes with UFC stars Colby Covington, Sean Strickland

Ian Garry calls for 2024 fights with UFC rivals Colby Covington and Sean Strickland in hitlistUnbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has put together a three-man hitlist for his 2024 season in the Octagon –…

Ian Garry calls for 2024 fights with UFC rivals Colby Covington and Sean Strickland in hitlist

Unbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has put together a three-man hitlist for his 2024 season in the Octagon – beginning with his UFC 298 fight against Geoff Neal, and ending with an apparent middleweight fight against current champion, Sean Strickland. 

Garry, the current number ten ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since August of last year, most recently turning in a dominant unanimous decision win over perennial welterweight winner, Neil Magny.

And forced from a December comeback against Vicente Luque through a battle with pneumonia, Garry is set for an appearance at UFC 298 in February in Anaheim, California, in the form of a rescheduled fight with rival, Neal.

Receiving a recent call out from former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington following the culmination of UFC 296 last month, Garry’s personal life and marriage with manager, Layla Anna-Lee has been the point of interest for the Clovis native in recent weeks.

Another fighter who has had his fair share to say on Garry’s relationship with Anna-Lee comes in the form of undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, who headlines UFC 297 this month against Dricus du Plessis.

Apparently locking eyes at the UFC Performance Institue in Las Vegas last month, Strickland urged Garry to settle their differences in the form of a melee, with the Dubliner weighing up a potential middleweight leap.

Ian Garry plans for Colby Covington, Sean Strickland fight in 2024

And on his official Instagram today, the Portmarnock striker has put together a ‘hitlist’ for this year, containing the above-mentioned, Neal, as well as Covington, and middleweight titleholder, Strickland. 

“Making my list for 2024,” Ian Garry posted on Instagram.

Israel Adesanya urged to make UFC return in fight against Dricus du Plessis: ‘That build up was gonna be insane’

Israel Adesanya urged to fight Dricus du Plessis in UFC return that build up was gonna be insaneFormer two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been urged to chase a fight with incoming title challenger, Dricus du…

Israel Adesanya urged to fight Dricus du Plessis in UFC return that build up was gonna be insane

Former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been urged to chase a fight with incoming title challenger, Dricus du Plessis in his return to the Octagon by former two-weight UFC gold holder, Daniel Cormier, pointing to a perceived massive build up to an eventual pairing.

Adesanya, a former undisputed middleweight titleholder twice during his gold laden Octagon tenure, has been sidelined since he dropped gold back in September in an upset unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in Australia.

And initially claiming he is set to remain sidelined until 2027 at the very earliest, Adesanya has now revealed he is planning a return to the Octagon in the not too distant future, amid claims from Chael Sonnen that the City Kickboxing staple should make it his business to feature at UFC 300 next April.

Israel Adesanya has been backed to fight Dricus du Plessis next

According to the above-mentioned Hall of Fame inductee, Cormier, Adesanya should also make sure he stands opposite du Plessis next – particularly if the South African beats soon-to-be common-foe, Strickland this month at UFC 297.

“That build was gonna be so crazy,” Daniel Cormier said on his official YouTube channel. “So, if you watch (Sean) Strickland fight (Dricus) du Plessis in January, you still preserve that match up regardless for (Israel) Adesanya, right? du Plessis wins, title fight for Adesanya. Build the whole thing. du Plessis loses, fight versus Adesanya, build that whole thing. You save that matchup regardless, because if you put in there with Khamzat (Chimaev), it’s a great fight.”

“It makes all the sense in the world, it would seem like a number one contender fight, but if Khamzat gets through him (Israel Adesanya), now you might lose that fight with du Plessis if he wins,” Cormier continued. “Save du Plessis-Adesanya at all costs.” 

Who wins in a future title pairing: Israel Adesanya or Dricus du Plessis?

Israel Adesanya urged to make UFC return in fight against Dricus du Plessis: ‘That build up was gonna be insane’

Israel Adesanya urged to fight Dricus du Plessis in UFC return that build up was gonna be insaneFormer two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been urged to chase a fight with incoming title challenger, Dricus du…

Israel Adesanya urged to fight Dricus du Plessis in UFC return that build up was gonna be insane

Former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been urged to chase a fight with incoming title challenger, Dricus du Plessis in his return to the Octagon by former two-weight UFC gold holder, Daniel Cormier, pointing to a perceived massive build up to an eventual pairing.

Adesanya, a former undisputed middleweight titleholder twice during his gold laden Octagon tenure, has been sidelined since he dropped gold back in September in an upset unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in Australia.

And initially claiming he is set to remain sidelined until 2027 at the very earliest, Adesanya has now revealed he is planning a return to the Octagon in the not too distant future, amid claims from Chael Sonnen that the City Kickboxing staple should make it his business to feature at UFC 300 next April.

Israel Adesanya has been backed to fight Dricus du Plessis next

According to the above-mentioned Hall of Fame inductee, Cormier, Adesanya should also make sure he stands opposite du Plessis next – particularly if the South African beats soon-to-be common-foe, Strickland this month at UFC 297.

“That build was gonna be so crazy,” Daniel Cormier said on his official YouTube channel. “So, if you watch (Sean) Strickland fight (Dricus) du Plessis in January, you still preserve that match up regardless for (Israel) Adesanya, right? du Plessis wins, title fight for Adesanya. Build the whole thing. du Plessis loses, fight versus Adesanya, build that whole thing. You save that matchup regardless, because if you put in there with Khamzat (Chimaev), it’s a great fight.”

“It makes all the sense in the world, it would seem like a number one contender fight, but if Khamzat gets through him (Israel Adesanya), now you might lose that fight with du Plessis if he wins,” Cormier continued. “Save du Plessis-Adesanya at all costs.” 

Who wins in a future title pairing: Israel Adesanya or Dricus du Plessis?

Sean Strickland ‘Triggered’ by Dricus du Plessis brawl ahead of UFC 297 fight: ‘You can’t get too emotional’

Sean Strickland triggered by Dricus du Plessis brawl at UFC 297 you can't get emotionalUndisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland’s head coach, Eric Nicksick has admitted his trainee was admittedly “triggered” by his brawl…

Sean Strickland triggered by Dricus du Plessis brawl at UFC 297 you can't get emotional

Undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland’s head coach, Eric Nicksick has admitted his trainee was admittedly “triggered” by his brawl and pre-fight trash talk with incoming foe, Dricus du Plessis ahead of their UFC 297 title fight – claiming the former cannot allow himself to become too emotional amid the developing rivarly.

Strickland, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is scheduled to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 297 in January, taking on surging promotional-perfect contender, du Plessis in Canada, in his first attempted defense of the divisional title.

Sharing the stage with the Pretoria native ahead of their title fight at a 2024 seasonal press conference earlier this month, Strickland’s childhood and relationship with his late father were the subject of interest from opponent, du Plessis, leading to a tense verbal battle between the duo. 

Sean Strickland “triggered” by Dricus du Plessis brawl

However, seated within arm’s reach at UFC 296 on fighter’s row, Strickland jumped du Plessis in the crowd, resulting in a brawl, with the defending middleweight champion escorted backstage afterwards.

And according to Strickland’s head coach, Xtreme Couture mastermind, Nicksick, his student has been “triggered” and affected by the altercation and verbal barbs fired at him.

“There’s two sides to that coin: Sean (Strickland) has no problem saying what he says about everybody else, so people are going to probably poke and say things about him, as well,” Nicksick told MMA Junkie Radio about Sean Strickland. “I think it’s a tough row to [hoe], so you can’t get too emotional about those situations.”

“They are just words, but at the end of the day, I did feel like he (Sean Strickland) was triggered and there was a few days where it just kind of motivated him.” 

Who wins at UFC 297: Sean Strickland or Dricus du Plessis?