IRVINE, Calif. – Ian Machado Garry refuses to let Sean Strickland’s personal insults slide. Strickland has ridiculed Garry’s relationship with his spouse, leading to a barrage of online attacks against Garry (13-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) and his family. While Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) has a reputation for taking jabs at fellow fighters, he has also shared his own emotional struggles from childhood trauma. Garry intends to make Strickland face the consequences for his hurtful remarks.
During Wednesday’s UFC 298 media day, Garry expressed his frustration, stating, “We can exchange verbal blows all day long, but there are two things I want to emphasize. Sean Strickland called my wife a despicable name that no woman should ever be subjected to. That’s the truth. Furthermore, Strickland’s followers even questioned the paternity of my child in hateful comments on my photos. I should never have to endure such cruelty. These two incidents deeply affect me, and I will seek retribution. One day, I will demolish Sean Strickland, and he will be helpless to stop me.”
Garry firmly believes that when they eventually face off inside the octagon, Strickland will be no match for him. Garry confidently stated, “I will taunt him, I will mock him, I will do whatever I please because the reality is, he will never be able to handle me. I understand that I have become a target, and I have the liberty to respond to anyone as part of my profession. However, attacking innocent individuals in my life is crossing a line. Let me make it clear, Sean Strickland is not the voice we should be paying attention to. He is burdened by his own deep-seated trauma, and he should focus on resolving his personal issues in silence. That is the root of his hostility.”
Garry is set to face Geoff Neal (15-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) on the main card of UFC 298 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) this Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Despite competing in different weight classes, Garry remains adamant about confronting Strickland.
“There is absolutely no man on this planet who can disrespect my wife and family in such a manner without facing consequences,” Garry affirmed. “The truth is, Strickland will never regain relevance. He has lost his title, he has lost the interest. There will come a time when I will step up for a last-minute fight, and I will dominate him. I am too swift, too skilled, and he will be left behind, longing for what he has lost.”
According to the Source mmajunkie.usatoday.com