Ian Garry branded ‘Championship level’ fighter ahead of UFC 298 return: ‘At least with the right matchups’

Ian Garry branded championship level fighter ahead of UFC 298 with the right matchupsIan Garry has been branded a “championship level” fighter ahead of his return at UFC 298 this weekend in…

Ian Garry branded championship level fighter ahead of UFC 298 with the right matchups

Ian Garry has been branded a “championship level” fighter ahead of his return at UFC 298 this weekend in Anaheim, according to veteran contender, Matt Brown – who claims the Dubliner can land spoils at welterweight, as long as he receives the right stylistic matchup.

Garry, the current number ten ranked contender, makes his return to the Octagon this weekend at UFC 298, taking on rival, Geoff Neal in a long-anticipated grudge pairing of the two kickboxing talents.

And taking his undefeated talents to Brazil for this training camp, Dublin striker, Garry trained alongside former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira at the Sao Paulo finisher’s Chute Boxe base in South America.

Ian Garry heaped with praise ahead of UFC 298

Attempting to work through Neal this weekend en route to another bad-blooded affair with former interim champion, Colby Covington – whom he intends to “retire” later this year, Garry, 26, has what it takes to strike divisional gold, according to Brown.

“Ian Garry is championship f*cking level material,” Matt Brown told MMA Fighting. “I don’t give a f*ck about all the sideshow sh*t. That dude is championship level, at least with the right matchups with the striking guys.”

“I don’t know about his wrestling yet,” Brown explained. “I haven’t seen him (Ian Garry) on his back. I haven’t watched a lot of his fights to be honest, but the ones that I have watched, they were striking battles, the dude looks f*cking tremendous and he looks championship level.” 

Appearing front and center during last night’s pre-fight press conference, Garry was the subject of multiple boos and jeers from the Californian crowd, with former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa shoving him down the stairs off stage after the Portmarnock native threw up two middle finger gestures to fans. 

Who wins at UFC 298 this weekend: Geoff Neal or Ian Garry?

Video – Paulo Costa successfully makes weight for return fight with Robert Whittaker at UFC 298

Paulo Costa successfully makes weight for UFC 298 fight with Robert WhittakerYet to tip the scales since he featured back in 2022, former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa did so…

Paulo Costa successfully makes weight for UFC 298 fight with Robert Whittaker

Yet to tip the scales since he featured back in 2022, former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa did so successfully today ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 298 this weekend, as he takes on Robert Whittaker in a potential title-eliminator.

Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he took main card honors back in 2022, landing a unanimous decision win over former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight titleholder, Luke Rockhold.

Booked to co-headline UFC 294 back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Costa was forced from a grudge fight with the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev – suffering a nasty bursitis infection in his elbow, resulting in multiple surgical procedures. 

Paulo Costa successfully makes weight for UFC 298

And slated to come back at UFC 298 this weekend at the Honda Center, Belo Horizonte native, Costa takes on former undisputed champion, Whittaker – and for the first time in almost two years, the Brazilian successfully made weight – tipping 185.5 pounds for his co-headliner with the fan-favorite.

Dropping just two professional losses in his career, Brazilian powerhouse, Costa suffered a knockout defeat in an unsuccessful title charge against common-foe, Israel Adesanya – before then forcing an impromptu light heavyweight fight – and subsequent defeat to Marvin Vettori. 

Over the course of his tenure in the Dana White-led promotion, Costa has turned in notable wins over the likes of Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero, Uriah Hall, and former champion, Johny Hendricks. 

Who wins at UFC 298 this weekend: Robert Whittaker or Paulo Costa?

Ilia Topuria reveals he drinks ‘Half a litre of wine’ night before UFC 298 weigh ins: ‘I get very buzzed’

Ilia Topuria drinks half a litre of wine ahead of UFC 298 weigh ins I get very buzzedAhead of his first championship foray under the promotion’s banner this weekend, incoming UFC 298 headliner, Ilia Topuria has…

Ilia Topuria drinks half a litre of wine ahead of UFC 298 weigh ins I get very buzzed

Ahead of his first championship foray under the promotion’s banner this weekend, incoming UFC 298 headliner, Ilia Topuria has revealed he’ll drink up to a “half litre of wine” the night before he officially makes weight for his title fight with Alexander Volkanovski – as part of a trick his nutritionist divulged to him.

Topuria, boasting an unbeaten 14-0 record and the current number three rank at featherweight, will attempt to become the first German-born fighter to lift Octagon gold this weekend as he headlines UFC 298 in Anaheim, taking on Australian favorite, Alexander Volkanovski.

And in the midst of a promotional perfect run since his debut back in 2020, Topuria, 27, most recently landed a shutout decision win over Josh Emmett last summer in a title eliminator bout atop a UFC Fight Night Jacksonville card.

Ilia Topuria reveals he drinks wine ahead of UFC weigh ins

Searching for the 145 pound title fight limit this weekend during his official weigh-ins, Topuria claimed to have a trick up his sleeve in order to ease the process, in the form of the consumption of half a litre of wine – in order to drop up to two pounds overnight, and sufficiently dehydrate himself.

“Don’t do it without any recommendation,” Ilia Topuria told ESPN. “I did it the first time becuase my nutritionist, he told me, ‘You have to drink half litre of wine because it’s going to help you dehydrate.’ And I was like, ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Yes, yes, drink it.’ And he was right. I drink the wine, wake up the next morning, and I’m two pound less than I was [the night before].”

“I get very buzzed, very buzzed, and I have such a great time with everyone,” Ilia Topuria said. “It’s like we change the atmosphere, you know? We don’t think about the fighting, we just celebrate, and I got to sleep like a baby. I wake up at the next morning with two pounds less, because of the dehydration, so everything plays out really well for me.”

Will Ilia Topuria land his first Octagon title at UFC 298 this weekend?

Video – Paulo Costa pushes Ian Garry off stage after flipping off fans during UFC 298 press conference

Paulo Costa pushes Ian Garry off stage during UFC 298 press conference flip off fansFormer has emerged overnight of former middleweight championship challenger, Paulo Costa pushing unbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry from the…

Paulo Costa pushes Ian Garry off stage during UFC 298 press conference flip off fans

Former has emerged overnight of former middleweight championship challenger, Paulo Costa pushing unbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry from the steps of the ceremonial stage following the pre-fight press conference ahead of UFC 298 – after the Dubliner flipped off fans who booed and jeered him.

Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, is slated to make his first outing inside the Octagon since 2022, booking a rescheduled fight with former undisputed champion, Robert Whittaker.

As for Garry, the Portmarnock native, who received a chorus of boos and jeers from the fans in Anaheim during last night’s ceremonial pre-fight press conference, himself draws a rebooked fight with Texan kickboxing talent, Geoff Neal in his main card comeback.

And urged fans who mocked him to continue doing so come Saturday night, Garry, the current number ten ranked contender claimed he would change their opinion of him with his performance against Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Neal.

With his partner and manager, Layla Anna-Lee attending the press conference midway through the festivities, Ian Garry’s wife was booed also – with the Dubliner electing to flip off fans with two middle finger gestures before his face-off with Neal.

Paulo Costa shoves Ian Garry off stage during presser

Making his way down the steps to exit stage left, Garry, a former undisputed Cage Warriors welterweight champion, was shoved down the steps further by Costa – who appeared tired of the outspoken contender’s bravado.

Laying out his plans to fight former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington in his next bout – Garry vowed to “retire” the Clovis native, before then questioning that with a victory over Neal, would his stardom prevent him from making a return to his native Ireland to headline a card in the capital for the UFC. 

Do you think Ian Garry remains unbeaten this weekend after UFC 298?

Video – Ilia Topuria snatches belt from Alexander Volkanovski during heated UFC 298 presser: ‘I’m gonna humble you’

Ilia Topuria snatches belt from Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 press conference I'm gonna humble youAttempting to become the first fighter inside the Octagon to beat Alexander Volkanovski at the featherweight limit – incoming…

Ilia Topuria snatches belt from Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 press conference I'm gonna humble you

Attempting to become the first fighter inside the Octagon to beat Alexander Volkanovski at the featherweight limit – incoming title challenger, Ilia Topuria was heckled with boos throughout tonight’s UFC 298 press conference in Anaheim, before he was corralled by security officials after snatching the Australian’s title belt from his desk.

Topuria, the current number three ranked featherweight contender, headlines his first flagship event this weekend in California, competing for Octagon spoils for the first time in a grudge fight with undisputed gold holder, Volkanovski.

And receiving flak for his barsh bravado in the weeks ahead of his championship outing, Topuira – sporting a three-piece suit, vowed to “humble” Volkanovski during their UFC 298 title fight, in front of a raucous crowd who booed the Spaniard throughout his showing at the presser.

Ilia Topuria grabs title from Alexander Volkanovski

Promising an opening round KO win over New South Wales native, Volkanovski – who has never been beaten at the featherweight limit since his move to the Dana White-led UFC, Topuria snatched the title belt from the desk of the incumbent during the press conference, leading to a heated coming together, before security officials corralled the duo.

Sidelined since last summer, Topuria, who is closing as a slight betting underdog to beat Volkanovski at UFC 298 this weekend, most recently capped off his unbeaten run with a fourteenth consecutive win, in the form of a decision shutout against Josh Emmett.

Facing off with former two-time lightweight title chaser, Volkanovski – who was sporting his “old man” garb to tonight’s festivities, Ilia Topuria was booed and jeered off stage by the attending fans – as he looks to dawn a new era at the featherweight limt, and spawn a fresh undisputed title reign for the first time in five years. 

Who wins at UFC 298: Alexander Volkanovski or Ilia Topuria?

Video – Ilia Topuria snatches belt from Alexander Volkanovski during heated UFC 298 presser: ‘I’m gonna humble you’

Ilia Topuria snatches belt from Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 press conference I'm gonna humble youAttempting to become the first fighter inside the Octagon to beat Alexander Volkanovski at the featherweight limit – incoming…

Ilia Topuria snatches belt from Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 press conference I'm gonna humble you

Attempting to become the first fighter inside the Octagon to beat Alexander Volkanovski at the featherweight limit – incoming title challenger, Ilia Topuria was heckled with boos throughout tonight’s UFC 298 press conference in Anaheim, before he was corralled by security officials after snatching the Australian’s title belt from his desk.

Topuria, the current number three ranked featherweight contender, headlines his first flagship event this weekend in California, competing for Octagon spoils for the first time in a grudge fight with undisputed gold holder, Volkanovski.

And receiving flak for his barsh bravado in the weeks ahead of his championship outing, Topuira – sporting a three-piece suit, vowed to “humble” Volkanovski during their UFC 298 title fight, in front of a raucous crowd who booed the Spaniard throughout his showing at the presser.

Ilia Topuria grabs title from Alexander Volkanovski

Promising an opening round KO win over New South Wales native, Volkanovski – who has never been beaten at the featherweight limit since his move to the Dana White-led UFC, Topuria snatched the title belt from the desk of the incumbent during the press conference, leading to a heated coming together, before security officials corralled the duo.

Sidelined since last summer, Topuria, who is closing as a slight betting underdog to beat Volkanovski at UFC 298 this weekend, most recently capped off his unbeaten run with a fourteenth consecutive win, in the form of a decision shutout against Josh Emmett.

Facing off with former two-time lightweight title chaser, Volkanovski – who was sporting his “old man” garb to tonight’s festivities, Ilia Topuria was booed and jeered off stage by the attending fans – as he looks to dawn a new era at the featherweight limt, and spawn a fresh undisputed title reign for the first time in five years. 

Who wins at UFC 298: Alexander Volkanovski or Ilia Topuria?