Ian Machado Garry took a great amount of pleasure in seeing Sean Strickland lose his title to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297.
Garry (13-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), who has been engaged in a war of words with Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) in recent months after the now former UFC champ talked about the Irish prospect’s wife, was joyous in the result of Saturday’s headliner at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, where Du Plessis claimed the middleweight title by split decision.
“The f*cking state of this,” Garry said in a video posted on social media watching Strickland vs. Du Plessis fight footage. “Zero technique. Slugging it out. Oh my God. I feel like I’m watching two amateurs fight. Oh my God. If I ever have a fight like that, please tell me to retire.”
Reaction: Strickland vs Du Plessis pic.twitter.com/eFQVSIy58O
— “The Future” Ian Machado Garry (@iangarryMMA) January 21, 2024
Garry, who is scheduled to fight Geoff Neal (15-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) at UFC 298 on Feb. 17 in Anaheim, Calif., revealed three-fight hit list for 2024 earlier this year, and Strickland was the final name on it.
Considering he fights at welterweight and Strickland held the belt at middleweight, the path to a potential matchup was unclear. But now that Strickland no longer holds gold, Garry thinks the chances just went up.
“That fight’s even more available now,” Garry said.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.