Ian Machado Garry‘s popularity among fans has been on a downward spiral since the controversy around his wife, Layla, erupted last year. Fans accused the former journalist, nine years his senior and author of the book ‘How to be a WAG’, of having used manipulative tactics to ‘trap’ Garry. While the Irishman and his wife have denied these allegations as baseless, he admitted prior to his UFC 298 clash against Geoff Neal that the criticism around his wife had taken a toll on him mentally,

It was not surprising, to see that there were questions around how the controversy would affect his performance prior to his split decision victory. The undefeated fighter put all such questions to rest with a clinical if somewhat underwhelming performance. And Garry joined Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour Show to discuss how one important aspect of his game plan, which some criticized as not aggressive enough, was inspired by a lesson he learned from one of the world’s biggest soccer managers.

Ian Garry inspired by Pep Guardiola

Speaking to the journalist about the Geoff Neal bout, Ian Garry revealed that he had made it a point to remain kinetic and move constantly to throw off Neal’s rhythm. He credited this to a documentary of Manchester City and former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who has won three Champions League and ten league titles.

Guardiola is known for his short pass and possession-heavy ‘Tiki-Taka’ style of football. Garry told Helwani that his game plan for the Neal fight was inspired partly by a documentary he saw on the soccer manager.

Trending

Michael Chandler Handed Sad Update on Conor McGregor Fight at UFC 303 – “He’s Not Going to Get Pay-Per-View Points”

April 24, 2024 07:47 PM EDT

“A MF Grabs Me” – Shaquille O’Neal Almost Came to Blows With UFC Star During Camp in Hawaii, NBA Legend Reveals Untold Stor

April 25, 2024 08:24 PM EDT

Violently Threatening Conor McGregor Takes a Bad Turn for 50 Cent as UFC World Condemns Rapper After Beef Resurfaces

April 23, 2024 01:53 PM EDT

“Bubble Gut From High HGH Abuse” – Joe Rogan’s Dire Health Concern Flares Up as Fans Worry About UFC Commentator

April 16, 2024 05:03 AM EDT

Dana White’s Approval Backfires on Diego Lopes, Purse Withheld Along With Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300

April 26, 2024 07:41 AM EDT

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

Follow Us

“I don’t know if you know Pep Guardiola. I was watching his documentary on BBC and he was talking about how handball influenced his way of playing football. And the fact that it’s harder to get the ball than it is to maintain possession. So if we can maintain the possession, we can score easy,”  he said.

‘The One’ stated that this inspired him to stay moving to make it difficult for Neal to hit him. “It’s the same with fighting. If you’re harder to hit, then it’s harder for your opponent to have success of your constantly moving and being fast and fidgety and lightning quick, Geoff can’t have success,” Garry added.

The Irishman took his undefeated streak to fourteen fights with his UFC 298 victory over the dangerous Neal and has called for a match against one of the welterweight division’s biggest stars.

Garry wants to fight ‘Chaos’ next

Despite the unpopularity of his wife, Layla, Ian Garry walked out to fight Neal to the tune of Eric Clapton’s rock anthem ‘Layla’, clearly in support of his wife. After his victory, Garry called for a match against Colby Covington in the Octagon interview with Joe Rogan.

Garry remained defiant despite fans booing him, promising to become champion. “I’m living the dream. Whatever you guys say, whatever you think, it means f*** all. I’m here. I’m going to be a champion whether you guys want it or not,” Garry declared.

What do you think about Garry’s post-fight comments but mostly his new trick for UFC 298?

MMA News Roundup: Alex Pereira Hands Wild UFC 301 Plans to Dana White, Alexander Volkanovski Gives Ilia Topuria Rematch Update, Bisping Makes NSFW Goof Up