Ian Garry defends wife against Sean Strickland’s ‘pedophile’ label, believes UFC champ must address ‘childhood trauma’

Ian Garry, the undefeated Irish fighter in the UFC’s welterweight division, has a penchant for controversy. His marriage with his wife Layla Anna-Lee came under public scrutiny due to the age gap between the couple. Moreover, he also had to pull out from his fight with Vicent Luque at UFC 296 due to Pneumonia.

Garry, who changed his surname to Machado Garry after marriage, last fought at UFC 292 against Neil Magny. He dominated Magny from start to finish in the fight that saw the Irishman chew up Magny’s legs.

Ian Garry claps back at Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland was at the forefront of those who attacked Ian Garry’s wife Layla Anna-Lee online. Strickland got a taste of his own medicine when Dricus Du Plessis referenced Strickland’s childhood abuse at the UFC 2024 Seasonal Press Conference which in turn caused the two to have an altercation at UFC 296. Now, Ian Garry, wishing a Happy New Year, hit back at Strickland.

“How the tables have turned you dish it out in the lowest most vile manner but can’t take a pinch,” commented Garry on an MMAFighting’s Instagram post. Garry was referencing what Strickland said on his appearance on the comedian Theo Von’s podcast, ‘This Past Weekend’. Strickland had said that one of the reasons he had an altercation with Dricus Du Plessis was due to the South African attacking his family, verbally.

“You attacked my wife incessantly and obsessively called her a pedophile, it’s clear to see your childhood trauma showing.” Garry further added calling out the double standards of Strickland who did not take it well when someone attacked his family verbally. Strickland had a troubled childhood with both of his parents being drug addicts. Moreover, his father, who in the recent past passed away due to cancer, was abusive to his mother and Strickland himself.

Garry is scheduled to face Geoff Neal at UFC 298 in Miami, Florida. The fight was initially announced for UFC 299, headlined by Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera. However, Dana White recently announced via press conference that the fight will be pushed earlier. Strickland is scheduled to defend his title against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297.

When will Ian Garry return to the octagon?

Ian Garry last fought at UFC 292, winning via unanimous decision, against ‘The Haitian Sensation’ Neil Magny and was supposed to return to the octagon at UFC 296 against ‘The Silent Assassin’ Vicente Luque. However, he contracted Pneumonia on his arrival from Brazil to Las Vegas and is now scheduled to fight Geoff Neal at UFC 292.

Neal was the original opponent for Garry at UFC 292 before Magny replaced ‘Handz of Steel’ on short notice. Garry and Neal have animosity as Garry even sported a t-shirt with a picture of Neal behind bars, referencing Neal’s problems with law and order in his life. It needs to be noted that Garry’s brutal trash-talking against Neil Magny even resulted in Magny suffering damage in his custody battle for kids with his former wife.

The former Cage Warriors champion is 6-0 in the UFC with 3 finished and a Performance Bonus. He formerly trained with welterweight champion Leon Edwards at Team Renegade MMA in Birmingham but was ousted from the gym. Moreover, rumors circulated of Edwards knocking out Garry in practice which the champion later clarified that he did rock Garry but did not knock him out.

Do you think Ian Garry will win against Geoff Neal at UFC 298? Leave your prediction below!