Ian Machado Garry isn’t one to engage in verbal sparring matches with his detractors. As he gears up for his upcoming bout against top-10 welterweight contender Geoff Neal at UFC 298 in Anaheim, Calif., Garry is focused on delivering a message through his performance inside the Octagon rather than through words outside of it.
In an interview with TNT Sports leading up to the fight, Garry addressed the persistent presence of naysayers in the online sphere. He acknowledged that no matter what he achieves, there will always be critics. However, he sees this as an opportunity to use their skepticism as motivation to showcase his skills even more emphatically.
“The truth is the MMA community should be thankful because everybody’s videos that were posted, that had my name on it, got much more traction, more views… I’m still going to show up to do my job this time. I’m going to get my hand raised. I’m going up to 14-0 and if anyone has a problem or anyone has anything to say, I couldn’t care less,” Garry asserted.
UFC Star Ian Garry Ahead of UFC 298 Geoff Neal Fight
Reflecting on the tumultuous lead-up to this fight, including his unfortunate withdrawal from a previous bout due to illness and the unwelcome intrusion of personal matters into public discourse, Garry expressed frustration at the lines crossed when his family became involved.
“When I sign up to fight, I’m putting myself in that firing range… But to attack people’s loved ones and people’s family, I feel, is real low. I mean, my wife got called a pedophile. No one in the world who isn’t that deserves to be called that,” Garry shared candidly.
Despite the negativity he has faced, Garry finds solace in the unwavering support he receives from his fans in person. He emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with positivity and gratitude, even in the face of adversity.
Looking ahead to the fight, Garry remains steadfast in his approach. While he won’t engage in public confrontations or berate his critics, he plans to let his performance speak volumes. With confidence in his abilities and a clear vision of his goals, Garry intends to utilize any platform he’s given to further his career and make his mark in the sport.
“I’ll use that mic to do what it’s best for — I’ll call out who’s next and I’ll line up what I want next, who I want next, where I want next, and I’ll get what I want because that’s how much power I have now,” Garry affirmed. “I’ll go out there and I’ll use that for the right things, not to berate people. I’ll use it for the right things and I’ll stay true to myself.”
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Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
