Tag: UFC 298

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.

Ian Garry addresses fan backlash amid UFC 296 withdrawal: ‘Hateful comments online aren’t real’

Ian Garry addresses fan backlash amid UFC 296 exit hateful comments online aren't realUnbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has vowed to make up for his UFC 296 withdrawal earlier this month in…

Ian Garry addresses fan backlash amid UFC 296 exit hateful comments online aren't real

Unbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has vowed to make up for his UFC 296 withdrawal earlier this month in February ahead of a rebooked bout with Geoff Neal, with the Dubliner delving into his battle with pneumonia ahead of his December return.

Garry, the current tenth ranked welterweight contender, was slated to make his return to the Octagon on the main card of UFC 296 last weekend in Las Vegas, taking on training partner, Vicente Luque in a welterweight pairing.

However, following confirmation that the Portmarnock striker would be missing his media obligations on Wednesday during fight week ahead of UFC 296, promotional CEO, Dana White confirmed how Garry was battling pneumonia and was forced to exit his fight with Luque in Nevada.

Ian Garry addresses widespread backlash after UFC 296

And since booking a rescheduled bout with welterweight striker, Neal for a return to the Octagon at UFC 298 in February in Anaheim, California, Garry has vowed to make up for his withdrawal from UFC 296.

“Fight week didn’t go as planned,” Ian Garry posted on his official Instagram account. “Influenza developed into pneumonia as I dropped wieght and for the first time in my career I was pulled by the UFC doctor. Flying home I met so many fans who flew out specifically to see me. F*ck. This is not how I wanted to meet you. I wanted to put on a show more than anything. Thank you for all your kind words, wonderful messages and to everyone who was there for me.”

“You might read hateful comments online but I’ve discovered they aren’t real,” Ian Garry explained. “In real life, you book flights, hotels, you drive miles, and you show up, in Vegas. I appreciate the hell out everyone and I promise I’ll make it up to you all in February.” 

Can Ian Garry return with a win over Geoff Neal at UFC 298?

UFC 298 title challenger Ilia Topuria has already updated his social media profiles to include ‘UFC World Champion’

Ilia TopuriaIlia Topuria is feeling pretty confident ahead of his first UFC title opportunity. So much so that ‘El Matador’…

Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria is feeling pretty confident ahead of his first UFC title opportunity.

So much so that ‘El Matador’ has already added “UFC World Champion” to his social media profiles roughly two months away from his featherweight title clash with the reigning and defending king of the division, Alexander Volkanovski, at UFC 298 in Anaheim.

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Topuria rides into his first championship opportunity with an undefeated 14-0 record, six of those wins coming under the UFC banner. ‘El Matador’ established his spot with a big unanimous decision victory over former interim title challenger Josh Emmett at UFC on ABC 5 in June.

Alexander Volkanovski isn’t buying Ilia Topuria as the guy to end his featherweight reign

Meanwhile, Alexander Volkanovski will be looking to bounce back after suffering a first-round knockout against current lightweight champ Islam Makhachev. ‘The Great’ stepped into the UFC 294 title tilt on 11 days’ notice and ultimately paid the price.

Though it was his second straight loss while challenging for the 155-pound crown, Volkanovski has looked practically unbeatable at featherweight and there’s nothing on Ilia Topuria’s resume to make him think that his reign at 145 will end in 2024.

“He needs to do something in February to show elite level because right now, I haven’t seen it,” Volkanovski told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “That doesn’t mean he’s not elite… But, there’s gonna be levels where you need to be more than just fundamentally sound. Like, if he thinks he’s gonna be able to outwrestle me, with what I’ve seen, he needs to show more than what he’s done, a lot more. Submission-wise, a lot more.

“I haven’t seen him do anything more special than any other of the guys that I’ve faced,” Volkanovski continued. “That doesn’t mean he’s not that good, but he needs to show me that. With the striking, again, durable, powerful dude, very fundamentally sound… But again, it’s so much more than that. I’ll leave it at that” (h/t MMA News).

Tatiana Suarez books return, set to fight Amanda Lemos at UFC 298 in Anaheim

Tatiana SuarezUndefeated strawweight standout Tatiana Suarez will return to the Octagon on February 17. Emanating from the Honda Center in…

Tatiana Suarez

Undefeated strawweight standout Tatiana Suarez will return to the Octagon on February 17.

Emanating from the Honda Center in Anaheim, UFC 298 will be headlined by a featherweight title tilt pitting reigning world champion Alexander Volkanovski against streaking contender Ilia Topuria. The event will also feature the return of former champ-champ Henry Cejudo as he meets Merab Dvalishvili.

Per a report from Aaron Bronsteter, Suarez will look to solidify herself as a future title challenger when she meets Amanda Lemos as part of the promotion’s return to The Golden State.

Tatiana Suarez (7-0 UFC, 10-0 MMA) made her promotional debut on The Ultimate Fighter season 23 and ran through the competition, scoring wins over Chelsea Bailey, JJ Aldrich, and Kate Jackson en route to the strawweight tournament final against Amanda Cooper. Suarez would go on to win the bout via a first-round darce choke.

She would earn four more wins before a devastating neck injury put her on the sidelines for almost four years.

Since then, she has returned to the Octagon, picking up right where she left off by earning back-to-back second-round guillotine choke submission victories over Montana De La Rosa and Jessica Andrade.

Amanda Lemos Looks to Bounce Back against Tatiana Suarez

Amanda Lemos (7-3 UFC, 13-3-1 MMA) will look to bounce back after coming up short in her first UFC title bid in August. Reigning strawweight world champion Zhang Weili handled Lemos with ease. Despite the setback, Lemos has proven herself to be a formidable foe in the division by earning wins over Marina Rodrigues, ‘The Karate Hottie’ Michelle Waterson-Gomez, and Angela Hill.

Lemos only has two losses dating back to 2019, both coming against current or former UFC champions. ‘Amandinha’ will be determined to get herself back into the title picture at UFC 298, and there is no bigger fight to do that than once against Tatiana Suarez.

Bouts currently announced for UFC 298 include:

  • Alexander Volkanovski(c) vs. Ilia Topuria (UFC featherweight title)
  • Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo
  • Tatiana Suarez vs. Amanda Lemos
  • Tai Tuivasa vs. Marcin Tybura
  • Anthony Hernandez vs. Ikram Aliskerov
  • Andrea Lee vs. Miranda Maverick
  • Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Justin Tafa
  • Zhang Mingyang vs. Brendson Ribeiro
  • Yusaku Kinoshita vs. Danny Barlow

Card is subject to change.