Key Highlights
- Ian Machado Garry’s biggest achievement in the sport is losing to Shavkat Rakhmonov according to Leon Edwards.
- Leon Edwards faces Carlos Prates at UFC 322 while Ian Machado Garry fights Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar a week later.
- The former teammates split from Team Renegade gym amid tension and public disagreements.
- Ian Machado Garry has expressed no interest in letting Leon Edwards earn money off fighting him, stating he would be cheering for Prates to knock Edwards unconscious.
Background on the Rivalry
The tension between Leon Edwards and Ian Machado Garry dates back to their time training together at Team Renegade gym. Their split was marked by public disagreements, with both sides providing different accounts of what led to the parting ways. According to Garry, he was asked not to return due to “insecurities and doubts” from Edwards and his coach. However, Team Renegade countered that Garry did not “add to the team’s culture.”
Leon Edwards’ Stance on a Potential Match
In an interview with The Ariel Helwani Show, Leon Edwards dismissed any notion of facing Ian Machado Garry in the near future. He called out Garry’s biggest achievement as losing to Shavkat Rakhmonov, emphasizing that this was factual and not just his personal opinion. Edwards stated that a matchup against Garry doesn’t fit into his plans at present, but he is open to it if it materializes.
Edwards, who captured the UFC welterweight title in 2022 with a knockout victory, has been working to reclaim his status as a top contender.
Facing Carlos Prates at UFC 322 this weekend presents complications for him, given that he is ranked higher than Garry and has faced tougher competition throughout his career. A win over Garry wouldn’t move him past the legitimate title contenders he needs to face, increasing the risk factor significantly.
Ian Machado Garry’s Response
While Edwards remained lukewarm on the idea of facing Garry, Ian Machado Garry showed his depth of animosity in interviews following their split. He questioned Edwards’s integrity and stated that he has no interest in letting Edwards earn money off fighting him. Machado Garry went further by expressing his wish for Prates to knock Edwards unconscious at UFC 322.
Garry’s next fight, scheduled against Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar the following week, represents a major test for him as well.
Muhammad previously held the welterweight title and poses a significant challenge. Garry’s rise in the rankings has coincided with his split from Team Renegade, adding a personal element to the welterweight division’s landscape.
Future Implications
A matchup between Edwards and Garry could become reality if both win their next fights. However, both fighters seem unconvinced of its value for now. The welterweight division remains crowded with contenders seeking title shots, including Jack Della Maddalena facing Islam Makhachev at UFC 322, which could potentially open paths for either Edwards or Garry.
The outcome of these upcoming fights will determine whether either fighter can earn a shot at the winner. The tension between Edwards and Garry adds an extra layer to this competitive landscape, making it all the more interesting as both fighters aim to reclaim their status in the UFC welterweight division.
