Home

UFC

“Unnecessary Step Backwards”: UFC Fans Erupt as Conor McGregor Admirer Ian Garry Gets Booked With Israel Adesanya’s Former Opponent

Published 01/28/2023, 8:00 AM EST

Follow Us

Undefeated UFC welterweight Ian Garry has a date for his next fight. According to a recent announcement from UFC president Dana White, Garry will return on March 4 at UFC 285 in Las Vegas. Following the announcement from White, the Irishman tweeted about his upcoming fight and his opponent Kenan Song. The 25-year-old revealed he had asked for a fight against Bryan Barberena. However, the UFC could not grant him his wish. Instead, Garry will make his fourth walk to the octagon against veteran Kenan Song. 4-2 in his six fights under the UFC banner, Song has another reputed name on his previous opponent’s list.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The 32-year-old Chinese mixed martial artist has fought Israel Adesanya prior to both fighters’ tenure in the UFC. Song fought Adesanya at the EM Legend 3 event on August 8, 2015, in China. ‘Stylebender’ looked like his usual formidable self and secured a TKO win in the very first round.

Eight years hence, both fighters are in the UFC, one weight class apart. While Adesanya is one of the top stars of the company, Song is fodder for up-and-comers like Garry.

Garry’s tweet made its way to Redditt, where fans discussed the upcoming fight and the fighters.

Fans react to Ian Garry vs Kenan Song

‘The Future’ last fought on the UFC 276 card in July 2022 and took out Gabe Green. He will look to go 4-0 in the UFC with a win over Song at UFC 285.

Read More“Don’t Retire”: UFC Fans React as Stephen Thompson Seemingly Confirms His Retirement Fight Opponent

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest UFC stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Fans had quite a few reactions under the Redditt post that discussed Garry’s tweet.

  • Song has fought Adesanya and Riddell. Mad.
  • Song Kenan fought Adesanya in his 3rd ever fight. Talk about a loss aging well
  • Haven’t heard Big Song’s name in a while. He was on the wrong end of a vicious KO a couple years back but is a solid fighter and has great power. Should be a good scrap.
  • Jesus they really want Garry to get another KO. Idk why people are saying Kenan is solid, he’s pretty terrible and will have been off for two years
  • Kind of feels like an unnecessary step backwards for Garry. He’s already established himself against Green and Weeks, and we know he could handle someone hovering around the edges of 170’s Top 15. Really just seems to be padding the record.
  • I know a lot of people are over his exposure, but I thought he looked great his last fight out and am def looking forward to this one
  • So glad they didn’t go with Barb. Garry just beat a much better version than current Barb.

Although he got flak for his obsequious worshipping of Conor McGregor, Ian Garry is one of the most promising superstars on the current roster.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch This Story: Drake Loses $2 Million as Conor McGregor’s Prediction Goes Horribly Wrong at UFC 281

What is your prediction for his fight against Kenan Song? Let us know in the comments below.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Yeswanth Praveen

928Articles

One take at a time

Yeswanth Praveen is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. His interests mainly lie in the realm of MMA, bodybuilding, and the fitness industry. He finished his Master's in English literature from EFLU, Hyderabad.
Show More>

Edited by:

Rohini Kottu