Ian Machado Garry expressed frustration over Colby Covington allegedly avoiding a fight with him, criticized fighters for being selective about matchups, and emphasized his readiness to face Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310, while also eyeing a future bout against Belal Muhammad.
Ian Machado Garry has spent much of the past year trying to secure a fight with Colby Covington. Despite his persistent efforts, the matchup never materialized.
The undefeated Irish welterweight insists that the UFC wanted this fight. However, Garry claims Covington dodged him at every turn, doing everything possible to avoid the bout.
Adding fuel to this belief, Garry was pulled from the UFC Tampa main event to face Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. Almost instantly, Covington replaced him in a fight against Joaquin Buckley.
“He just magically f*cking reappeared out of thin air!” Garry exclaimed during UFC 310 media day. “Just came out of nowhere, didn’t he? ‘Oh yeah, I’ll do it!’ It just shows he’s a coward.”
Garry went on to say that Covington is trying to stay relevant by talking about fighters like him and Shavkat. He even mentioned Charles Oliveira at one point for media attention.
Before even being asked about Covington, Garry had already criticized fighters who are offered matchups but then decline them. In his view, there shouldn’t be an option.
If the UFC offers an opponent, Garry believes every fighter should accept or sit out until they’re ready to take the initial offer. “All these people talk to stay relevant,” he said.
“They’re far too selective in this sport,” Garry continued. “It should be you fight this guy or you don’t fight at all.” This weekend, he plans to prove his commitment by facing Shavkat.
Despite some pre-fight trash talk with Rakhmonov—a former training partner—Garry praised him ahead of their co-main event showdown on Saturday. A bit of drama added spice to their clash.
Rakhmonov claimed he tapped out Garry in a sparring session years ago, urging them to release the footage as proof. Garry didn’t deny it but dismissed its relevance for their upcoming fight.
“If he wants to latch onto a moment of success from two years ago,” Garry said, “he’d be sadly mistaken.” He believes Rakhmonov won’t rely on past training sessions come fight night.
Garry admitted it happened but emphasized that sparring victories don’t translate into real fights. “He has to do it Saturday night,” Garry stated confidently.
Assuming victory over Rakhmonov this weekend, Garry already eyes a future bout with UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in 2025. No more detours after this win.
Garry is set on focusing on opponents who actually want to fight him rather than someone like Covington. “He would never, ever step into that octagon with me,” Garry declared.
Because in his mind, he’s the man Covington fears the most.