Ian Machado Garry nearly ended up fighting twice in one night at UFC Qatar.
‘The Future’ secured the welterweight title by defeating former champion Belal Muhammad in a three-round battle in Doha on Saturday.
Following the fight, Ian Machado Garry crossed paths with Khamzat Chimaev, who was supporting Arman Tsarukyan in the main event where Tsarukyan earned a submission win over Dan Hooker.
Tensions rose when UFC middleweight champion Chimaev approached Machado Garry, leading to a moment that almost escalated into a confrontation.
A popular video captured Machado Garry congratulating Chimaev on his first victory in 589 days. Chimaev responded with some firm pats on Machado Garry’s back, prompting a security guard to intervene quickly.
Machado Garry assured the guard that he wasn’t interested in fighting, praising Chimaev as a champion. However, the situation almost turned physical when Machado Garry asked Chimaev, “What’s wrong?” Chimaev replied, “I’m going to wake you up,” causing more security to step in to defuse the situation.
Machado Garry criticized the behavior as immature and reminded Chimaev that he should uphold the standards of a champion, especially since his friend had just won. In the end, both fighters and their camps parted ways without any blows being exchanged.
Fan Take: This near confrontation highlights the intense rivalries brewing in the UFC, which adds an extra layer of excitement for fans. Such moments can heighten anticipation for future matchups and keep the sport electrifying both inside and outside the octagon.
