SUMMARY
- Ian Garry has been a contributing figure in the UFC for quite some time now.
- He recently defeated Geoff Neal at UFC 298 via a split decision.
UFC 298 Ian Garry taking on Geoff Neal on the main card. Ahead of the bout, Garry was under a lot of pressure due to his antics outside the Octagon. Hence, the bout against Neal presented the Irish fighter with an opportunity to put all the outside noise behind him and get back into the fans’ good books. However, judging by the reaction from the crowd inside the Honda Center toward Ian and his wife, Layla Machado Garry, he has failed to do so.
Ian Garry defeated Geoff Neal after a somewhat underwhelming back-and-forth between the two. Heading into the bout, both Neal and Garry spoke about an entertaining bout and potentially securing a stunning finish. But the contest was far from it. While they did land some good shots throughout the bout, it was a lukewarm fight altogether. The 26-year-old Irishman won the bout via a split decision.
Why do fans hate Ian Garry’s wife Layla Machado Garry?
As per UFC Stats, Neal landed a total of 57 strikes and 46 significant strikes. Garry, on the other hand, managed 67 significant strikes and 80 strikes in total. So it was quite a timid display from both the fighters. Unhappy with Garry’s performance, fans also started a “cu* k” chat during the fight. For the uninitiated, Ian’s wife, Layla Machado Garry, has been quite a polarizing character amongst the fans.
HE REMAINS UNDEFEATED 😱
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2024
After going the distance @IanGarryMMA wins by split decision! #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/oBt1GArZ6i
There was a lot of controversy when fans found out that there was a 14-year age difference between Layla (40) and Garry (26). It resulted in a scrutiny of her background, and fans discovered some interesting details about her. Not only has she written a book called “HOW TO BE A WAG,” she was allegedly using Garry for fame. Some fans also alleged that her ex-husband, Richard Cullen, was her current boyfriend.
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Some also raised eyebrows at Ian’s decision to take her maiden name, “Machado,” as well. Even former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland also made unflattering comments on the matter. So all in all, there is a lot of dislike for Garry’s wife amongst the fan base, which has frustrated Garry to no end! From having to clarify that Layla does not have a boyfriend, to defending her character, the welterweight fighter has done everything to dismiss rumors about his wife.
But that has done nothing to end the criticism. One fan added on X (formerly Twitter), “He ruined his chance at being great because he married her… So sad he’s so good at fighting.” Another observer added, “The woman you choose as a partner can make or break you.” That was not the end of negative feedback, as someone else wrote, “He even fights like a c*ck, what was up with tagging hands after every hit.”
As the last reaction suggests, fans were not quite happy with the lack of entertainment in the fight either. Expressing the unhappiness, another fan added, “I used Ian Garry’s fight to catch some Zzz’s. I was fading and I knew it would be boring #UFC298.”
Ian Garry lashes out at fans for booing after UFC 298
As previously mentioned, Ian Garry was subjected to a lot of hatred from the fans after UFC 298. After Bruce Buffer announced that Garry won the bout via split decision (30-27, 28-29, and 30-27), fans rained boos on Garry. However, Joe Rogan came to Garry’s defense and labeled them as “haters.”
Addressing the boos, Garry added, “Let them talk Joe, we’re here. Hey, hey, I’m winning, undefeated, living the life. Keep talking, keep talking, you’re all here watching me.”
Aside from all the chatter about his personal life, Garry is having a great time inside the Octagon. He now has extended his winning streak in the UFC to 7 and his MMA record stands at an undefeated 14-0. While a title shot is nowhere near the horizon, “The Future” can certainly look forward to a match-up against a top-ranked fighter. While he wants to “retire” Colby Covington, it will be interesting to see if the UFC obliges his request or not.