Ian Machado Garry takes on Joaquin Buckley in a showdown of the top 10 welterweights in the UFC. Garry never imagined fighting ‘New Mansa’ as witnessed from his dismissals in the past. But the two now headline UFC Tampa (UFC on ESPN 63) this coming December. Interestingly, Garry wanted to fight Colby Covington and Buckley wanted Kamaru Usman.
Back in 2023, the paths of Garry and Buckley crossed at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. ‘New Mansa’ tried to lobby for a fight with the undefeated Irish contender. Apart from a few grudge fights, Garry didn’t want to fight anyone lower in the division. On Saturday, Garry took to social media to discuss his newly booked UFC Tampa main event:
Back in 2023 after my fight with DRod, me and @newmansa94 had this conversation… Since then he’s climbed up the rankings with some good knockouts. Still not done enough to be above me, but as Colby has said no, and Usman said no and everyone else above me is matched or injured I’ll give Buckley this opportunity – I don’t wait. I don’t play games. I fight.
Ian Garry via IG posts (@iangrry)
“The Future” claims the fight came about after every other top welterweight refused (looking at Colby Covington) or already had a booking. Buckley is 5-0 as a UFC welterweight, including a spectacular knockout of UFC mainstay Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. Garry has thus officially changed his mind. Buckley’s ability to get Garry to agree to a fight was also made possible by Kamaru Usman.
Ian Garry explains why he took a fight against Joaquin Buckley 🗣️:
“Everyone else above me is matched or injured I’ll give Buckley this opportunity- I don’t wait. I don’t play games. I fight.”
(via IG/ @iangarryMMA) pic.twitter.com/NlDqHJZbxM
— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) November 2, 2024
Buckley (20-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is ranked 9th in the division. He’ll be looking for his fourth win of the year as he continues to climb the ranks of the division. As such, this can be at par with how most striking delights are and can prove quite the challenge. Hence, the Irishman now accepts the opportunity.
What does fighting Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa mean for Ian Garry?
Ian Garry (15-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), the No. 7-ranked fighter in the UFC’s official 170-pound rankings, will be in search of his third win of the season. He defeated Geoff Neal by split decision at UFC 298 and Michael Page by unanimous decision at UFC 303.
In his entire MMA career, the 26-year-old Irishman has never been a UFC main eventer. A main event fight brings more financial benefits with a bigger purse. But it also brings in much more exposure to the fans, a Pay-per-view (PPV) spotlight, and a title shot. Big names like Conor McGregor, Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards, and others leapfrogged to superstardom just that way.
Garry has also faced issues in his previous gym due to interpersonal etiquette and has also squabbled with fans. Wife Layla Anna-Lee’s 2010 satirical publication How to be a WAG garnered much flak for being an alleged guide to gold diggers. Even Buckley once refused to fight him on that very narrative, taking digs.
In the main event spotlight, Ian Machado Garry can earn his keep among the promotion’s top stars. By agreeing to fight on one month’s notice for the upcoming UFC Fight Night, he has now become the Rainman for a quick card rescue. Facing Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa, FL. (UFC on ESPN 63) only stretches his stock further.
