Ian Machado Garry Addresses Khamzat Chimaev Feud Rumors Ahead of UFC 330

Ian Machado Garry already has enough on his plate without reopening an old backstage argument. In just a few days, the 28-year-old will square off against UFC’s pound for pound great, Islam Makhachev, for the welterweight title. 

Ahead of the highly anticipated main event, a recent interview resurfaced an old moment with Khamzat Chimaev. It happened months ago and lasted only seconds. However, it became one of those viral backstage clips that refuse to die. 

Garry has now set the record straight on the backstage fiasco, revealing how a simple gesture of respect turned into a major storyline.

Ian Machado Garry’s Comments on What Really Happened at UFC Qatar

First things first, the Irishman has never suggested that he and Chimaev are friends. In fact, he made that distinction pretty clear while explaining the incident during a recent Title Fight exclusive. 

According to him, the whole thing began with him congratulating Arman Tsarukyan and his entourage, following the latter’s victory over Dan Hooker in Doha. Chimaev was part of the Armenian’s corner that night, but Garry says he initially failed to acknowledge him.

When he realized it, Garry went back and greeted Chimaev as well. From his perspective, there was nothing hostile about the interaction.

“Me and Khamzat aren't boys,” Garry said. “When I go to a team and there's Arman Tsarukyan tying his shoelace, I said congrats to him, I said congrats to his other coach and congrats to one more. And I leave one guy out and I didn't see him. And I go, 'Oh s**t, sorry champ, how are you?' We were cool, we were fine at that point.”

Situation Was Never Volatile

Furthermore, pushing back against the popular fan narrative that he was trying to provoke Chimaev by touching him, the Irishman argued that his body language showed no intent to escalate the situation. He also pointed out that Chimaev did not immediately react as though he had taken serious offense to the gesture. 

“It was only when someone stepped in between us that it was a problem,” Garry said. “If he wanted to suplex me and put me on my skull, he would have done it when I . Go watch my body language again… In no way, shape, or form was it aggressive. It was purely out of respect; there was no mal intent.”

In essence, he isn't claiming the moment never happened. Instead, Garry is simply offering his perspective to what really went down in Doha. 

What Actually Happened Between Garry and Chimaev

The incident took place backstage at UFC Qatar last November, shortly after Garry had defeated Belal Muhammad, and Tsarukyan submitted Hooker in the main event.

Video from the arena showed the Irishman approaching Tsarukyan’s team and congratulating them. As he greeted Chimaev, Garry placed a hand on him while speaking to him. “Borz” appeared to take exception to the gesture and responded physically before security moved between the two fighters.

Chimaev later offered his own explanation at the post-fight press conference, making it clear that he viewed Garry’s actions as disrespectful rather than friendly.

Chimaev made it clear that he took Garry’s gesture as a disrespectful tap from behind rather than a cordial show of respect. The former Middleweight champion also accused Garry of trying to create attention around himself, even comparing his public persona to Conor McGregor while dismissing him as a fighter.

In hindsight, that version of events helps explain why the clip generated so much noise. Neither man appeared interested in pretending they were close, and the physical exchange gave fans plenty to talk about.

But now, Garry appears more interested in putting the episode into perspective than turning it into another rivalry. That may be for the best because his attention now has a much bigger destination.