Everything was going smoothly for Ian Machado Garry just a year ago. ‘The One’, with his charismatic personality, undefeated record, and exceptional potential drew parallels with his compatriot Conor McGregor. However, all of this hype came crashing down last year after marrying Layla Machado.

Garry’s wife, Layla, nine years his senior used to be a journalist and broadcaster, having authored a satirical book titled ‘How to be a WAG’ (WAG is a British slang for the wives and girlfriends of star athletes). Upon learning this, UFC fans and former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland accused her of having used the tactics in this book to essentially ‘trap’ a much younger Garry. And ahead of his UFC 298 clash against Geoff Neal tonight, Garry confronted a fan for insulting his wife.

Ian Machado Garry calls out a fan

After the controversy erupted late last year, Ian Machado Garry’s wife Layla has clarified repeatedly that her book was a sardonic look at the challenges, hardships, and stereotypes of the seemingly glitzy lives of the WAGs. The book paints the ‘WAGs’ in an unflattering light and is not a guidebook on how to marry a successful athlete as many fans believe. All of this has fallen on their deaf ears, of course.

Instagram user jstbld posted a video along with the caption ” Ian Garry calls out fan for insulting his wife. 😳 Real life ain’t the internet guys, if you are going to insult a fighters’s family; be ready for the consequences,” showing Garry confronting a fan for disrespecting his wife.

In the clip, Garry can be seen taking pictures with young fans. Another fan seemingly says something about the Irishman’s wife, which prompts him to demand the fan “say it to my face”. The latter pleaded innocence and claimed he “didn’t say anything.” Garry was unconvinced calling “bullsh**” on the fan’s denial and suggested he doesn’t “f***ing sh**” himself before getting in his car. And now fans have called out Garry for the interaction.

Fans react to Garry confronting fan

Fans took to the comments section of the video to make their thoughts on Garry’s conduct during the exchange. Here is what some of the fans had to say.

One fan felt Garry was brave because he was not confronting another fighter:

“Funny how he trys to stick it on non fighters”

Another felt Garry should keep the same energy with fellow fighters:

“Shame he can’t have this standing on business attitude with other fighters”

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One fan felt Garry confronted the fan as he knew security would not let him get hurt:

“Ian talking because he knows security isn’t going to let anything happen. Guys a clown”

While one fan gave him respect for standing up to the fan, he still did not have a favorable opinion of Garry:

“lowkey respect for standing for something finally, still hate him tho”

Another felt the Irishman gave the guy his just deserts for talking about his wife:

“Some fans get too comfortable. Respect Ian for this one.”

Another called ‘The One’ out for cursing around kids:

“Mouthing around young kids, tosser!”

Clearly, Garry has not won over any fans with this confrontation, despite a chunk also coming to his defense. Nevertheless, this is the MMA world, and a dominant victory over Neal in their upcoming bout may see him get back in the fans’ good books. There is no doubt that Ian Garry going into UFC 298 with a chip on his shoulder, as is his opponent Neal, after the recent glut in his form. And as per UFC history, those make for the best fights.

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