UFC fighter Ian Machado Garry remains hopeful for a potential bout with Stephen Thompson, despite UFC President Dana White claiming Thompson declined the offer, asserting his belief that he will soon have the opportunity to prove he is the best striker in the welterweight division.
Ian Machado Garry, a mixed martial artist, is hoping for an upcoming fight with Stephen Thompson, also known as “Wonderboy”, although UFC president Dana White claims that Thompson has declined the offer. The budding contention started shortly after Garry’s victory against Neil Magny in UFC 292. After the fight, Garry offered to compete against Thompson, aiming to prove himself as the top striker in the welterweight division. Dana White mentioned that Thompson had been offered a fight against Garry but had reportedly turned it down. Thompson, however, hasn’t yet responded publicly to these claims.
Despite the uncertainty, Garry remains hopeful of this potential bout. The 25-year-old Irish contender firmly believes that the match will pull through even if it doesn’t happen in the stipulated November timeline at UFC 295. Garry expressed, “I am excited to fight ‘Wonderboy’ and I believe that this matchup will materialize. I believe God works in very, very beautiful ways, and for some reason, I end up getting everything I want.” Despite initial rejections, Garry firmly anticipates battling Thompson soon.
Adding a unique flavor to the narrative, off the ring, Garry is known for his psychological games and a crafted reputation for mental warfare. He had notably stirred up conflicts against Magny and Geoff Neal ahead of their fights, but he plans no such games with Thompson. Instead, he holds a personal reverence for Thompson, publicizing his intent to fight purely out of respect rather than any personal grudge. Garry admires Thompson for his exceptional record as a striker and believes that defeating him will solidify his position as the world’s best striker. Thompson’s latest match against Michel Pereira was canceled due to Pereira’s failure to make the desired weight, hinting that he might be looking for a more prominent opponent.
Despite Garry ranking behind Thompson, his rising star power since joining UFC is undeniable and may well change the anticipated match’s dynamics. Garry asserted, “I believe for ‘Wonderboy,’ there is just as much pull for me to fight ‘Wonderboy’ as there is for ‘Wonderboy’ to fight me. I’m a striker. So ‘Wonderboy’ knows I’m going not try to grab his legs and wrestle him. He knows that I want to prove I’m the better striker. So he knows what he’s getting into.” Despite Dana White stating that “Wonderboy” declined the fight, Garry continues to campaign for it, hoping to coax a favorable response soon. Garry argues that Thompson should accept the challenge as a unique opportunity to prove who the better striker is. He sees no reason, except for fear of defeat, for Thompson to decline such a thrilling competition.