Ian Machado Garry has been attracting plenty of column inches ahead of his UFC 296 bout with Vicente Luque, but not for positive reasons. But one man has stepped up to defend the Irishman amid a firestorm of criticism.
The lead-up to the UFC’s final pay-per-view of the year included plenty of stories about Machado Garry, with one notable line referencing his exit from Team Renegade, the Birmingham gym that is home to reigning UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards.
Machado Garry’s departure following a short association with the gym was a decision taken by the team’s senior coaches, with the Irishman asked not to return to the gym as he didn’t fit the culture of the tightly-knit collective.
But, while many have jumped on the story as a huge personal criticism of Machado Garry’s character, a member Team Renegade lightweight Akonne Wanliss has given an alternative take.
“Everyone is going at him, I’ve seen Sean Strickland have a pop at him and I have absolutely no idea how we have ended up here!” said Wanliss, who competes for European promotion Oktagon MMA.
“To be honest, I think Ian Garry is a lovely guy, but something has gone wrong where he seems to have said a few things and got himself in trouble somewhere.
“For everyone going at his wife, as well, I think that is absolutely crazy and it is getting really out of hand.”
Despite Machado Garry’s departure from the gym, Wanliss was fulsome in his praise of “The Future’s” fighting abilities, but said that it was important that the atmosphere of the gym was maintained for the benefit of the team as a whole.
“I feel like he is an awesome guy and he has got great talent,” he said.
“If he doesn’t fit the gym, then we have to protect the culture and I understand the decision – I’m a prospect in the gym – so if someone comes in and doesn’t fit that, then I respect the decision.”
Wanliss also gave his pre-fight thoughts ahead of teammate Edwards’ title defence against former interim champion Colby Covington.
“Leon is firing on all cylinders and I feel like this is Leon’s era,” he said.
“I can see Leon dominating Colby wherever the fight goes and I can see a stoppage coming as well – he’s too lethal, too sharp and too strong.
“We know Colby is going to try and come in and grapple and by around round three, you’ll start to see Leon break him down then you’ll get a finish – savagely.”
Wanliss also shared his thoughts on his own career, with the 7-2 lightweight prospect ready to catapult himself towards Europe’s 155-pound elite in Oktagon MMA’s Tipsport Gamechanger tournament in 2024.
“I’m feeling really grateful, to be honest,” he said.
“The pride hasn’t set in yet because I know there is a lot of work to do. Right now, I’m hungry and energised because I am at the start of camp for the tournament.
“I feel like ever since Manchester, I’ve been desperate to get back in there and fight. I’m so happy I am going to be in the Tipsport Gamechanger because people have to fight me, no one is going to slow me down by ducking or not taking fights – they have to feel ‘The Force.’
“I’m going to have at least four fights here, no one can say no to fighting me and I can become a millionaire – what more could I ask for?
“(Ronald) Paradeiser is the man to beat in this tournament, even though I can’t take his belt in this format. I saw Makwan (Amirkhani)’s last fight in the UFC – if that is the sort of performance he is going to bring to this, then I am really not that worried about him at all.
“In 12 months’ time, I want to be a millionaire, recognised as the pound-for-pound number one, and officially crowned the best lightweight in Europe – those are my goals!”
