Ian Garry, an Irish fighter, has been the center of attention recently. And not all of it’s been good. He’s been ridiculed and criticized for everything from his relationship with his wife to his gym manners.
The online hate he received was intense. But Garry, he thinks most of it wasn’t real.
He was one of the most anticipated fighters at UFC 296 media day. He was set to clash with Vicente Luque. But, “The Future” didn’t show up. He was pulled from the bout a day after due to pneumonia.
The online hate he received was intense. But Garry, he thinks most of it wasn’t real. He thanked his true fans in an Instagram post.
“Fight week didn’t go as planned,” Garry wrote. He was sick. Influenza developed into pneumonia as he dropped weight. For the first time in his career, he was pulled by the UFC doctor.
He met many fans on his flight home. Fans who flew out specifically to see him. “F—k. This is not how I wanted to meet you,” he wrote. He wanted to put on a show. He thanked everyone for their kind words and support.
He addressed the online hate. “You might read hateful comments online but I’ve discovered they aren’t real,” he wrote. He appreciates his fans who show up for him in real life.
He promised to make it up to his fans in February.
Garry, undefeated in the welterweight category, was subsequently booked against Geoff Neal for UFC 298. This match is set for Feb. 17 in Anaheim, California. The two were originally scheduled to meet at UFC 292 in August, but Neal was replaced by Neil Magny. Garry beat Magny via unanimous decision.