While many are waiting for the highly hyped main event clash between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315, some have a grudge over the bout. Ian Machado Garry had a disdain for the fight ever since its announcement, calling Maddalena unworthy because he had taken a year off from fighting and then went straight to a title shot. A rivalry

“The world title fight was meant to be Shavkat Rakhmonov taking on Belal Muhammad for the world title, but Shavkat, apparently, is out injured … Now they’re pulling in a guy who hasn’t fought in a year because he’s had an operation on his forearm because he broke it in his last fight, hasn’t fought in a long time, hasn’t been active. So they’re giving it to Jack Della Maddalena to fight Belal Muhammad because I’m coming off a loss. That’s OK. Don’t worry, I’ll get you all. You’re all mine.” This is what Garry had to say after the UFC 315 main event was announced.

Now, however, the rivalry, it seems, has taken a weird new turn. While talking about the UFC 315 card with ‘Southern Cross Combat‘, ‘JDM’s coach Ben Vickers shared a bizarre encounter Ian Garry was trying to create between his son and Maddalena’s son when they met. Ian Garry, who did not hold back words against the Australian striker, according to Vickers, was rather nice in person.

Vickers revealed the story, saying: “So he can say whatever he wants, but you know when he’s next to Jack, when he’s spoken to Jack, he’s nothing but nice. He has none of this stuff to say. He tried to get their kids to face off once, which was fu*** weird. But he’s just a weird dude, man, he should just concentrate on being better. 

A face-off between Maddalena and Garry surely would’ve probably made more sense and would’ve given a much-needed push to their rivalry. But for now, Garry will have to wait on the sidelines before eventually facing the Australian, unless—someone pulls out of UFC 315.

For UFC 315’s main event between Muhammad and Maddalena, Ian Garry was announced as the back-up fighter. A man who thrives on coming out on top on short notice has chosen not to take a break from his war against Carlos Prates and will once again weigh in the night before, hoping he can get the title shot.

Ian Garry steps up as the back-up fighter for UFC 315 main event despite being denied a title shot.

“The moment you’re the backup fighter, that fight can get cancelled. When Makhachev was fighting Arman, we offered [to be the backup], Charles [Oliveira] asked a lot, and the UFC said, ‘No, Charles won’t be the backup. Get some rest, you just fought. You deserve a vacation. Be there as the guest fighter.’ And on Friday, the day of the weigh-ins, the fight was off. Even if you don’t believe it, anything can happen.” This is what Ian Garry had to say as he announced himself as the backup fighter for Maddalena’s clash with Muhammad for the UFC 315 main event.

Should Garry’s services be required in case any fighter pulls-out of the bout, the Irishman’s wishes will surely come true. Stylistically on the other hand, Muhammad may pose a larger threat to Garry, knowing his intense wrestling and ground game. But ‘The Future’ is prepared for more than just a war as he talked about being the backup fighter for the UFC 315 main event and addressed his training mentality saying: “We have to train for a war, to train as if we’re fighting,” while on the other hand, his clash with Maddalena could be an all-out war.

Not just stylistically but Garry’s anger on the UFC for giving Maddalena the title shot over him will surely bring out a few extra punches from ‘The Future’. He believes even after he lost to Shavkat Rakhmonov in a title eliminator, he was able to injure the Kazakh’s knee due to which Rakhmonov pulled out from the bout against Muhammad. And after beating Prates, his demands grew even higher as he was yet again rejected by the community. That would certainly build a grudge inside Garry, as he claims Maddalena’s title shot is unworthy due to his year-long break from the sport.

With all that being said, Ian Garry’s passion and hunger for the gold has to be a subject of compliment. Throughout his days of criticism and now as he is back on the rise, the Irish fighter has never shied away from an opportunity to show his character and strength inside or outside the Octagon. He will dearly be hoping for an imminent need of his services in the Octagon on May 11th. Should he be able to compete, who do you think Ian Garry has a better chance of beating? Belal Muhammad or Jack Della Maddalena? Let us know in the comments.