Here’s Why UFC Booked Garry Against Neal (And Not Luque)

In addition, UFC CEO Dana White insists this fan-friendly fight was never on the table.

Ian Garry was supposed to fight Vicente Luque at UFC 296 last weekend in Las Vegas; however, “The Future” came down with pneumonia and was forced to withdraw. When he returns, Garry will face No. 8-ranked welterweight contender Geoff Neal at UFC 299.

So what happened to Luque?

“We offered Luque a bunch of fights,” UFC CEO Dana White said at the UFC 296 post-fight press conference (watch it here). “He turned them all down.”

UFC 299 takes place on March 9 at Kaseya Center In Miami.

Luque and Neal were previously scheduled to hook ‘em up at UFC 292 earlier this year in Boston, but “Handz of Steel” was injured and bounced from the lineup. That didn’t prevent Garry from keeping their rivalry alive and well via this controversial t-shirt.

Neal was replaced by Neil Magny, who dropped a decision to Garry in “Beantown.”

UFC 299 will be headlined by the bantamweight rematch between newly-crowned 135-pound champion Sean O’Malley and longtime rival Marlon Vera. Elsewhere on the card, heavyweight hurters Jailton Almeida vs. Curtis Blaydes do battle at 265 pounds.