“Avoiding me like the plague!” UFC star Colby Covington called out for silence over ‘signed’ Ian Garry fight

A bout between top welterweights Ian Garry and Colby Covington targeted for UFC Tampa Bay fight night card in December; 'Chaos' slammed for ducking.

“Avoiding me like the plague!” UFC star Colby Covington called out for silence over ‘signed’ Ian Garry fight

Ian Machado Garry rips into Colby Covington for avoiding him for UFC Tampa (Source: IMAGO/X)

According to Ian Machado Garry, the UFC offered him a fight against Colby Covington again and again. But the holdup isn’t with him but ‘Chaos’. A top welterweight scrap between Garry and Colby Covington is targeted for UFC Tampa Bay fight night. However, the Irishman is still waiting on some confirmation from the rival.

Ian Garry (15-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) has been angling to meet Covington inside the octagon for some months now. For the Nth time, Garry accepted but said he hadn’t heard back from Covington. Due to personal etiquette and PR issues, the Irish welterweight from Team Chute Boxe – Diego Lima has had to face much ridicule lately. However, he cleared up that he was not stalling the grudge match from his end.

YouTube video

What’s up, everyone? So, I’m coming on to let everybody know, keep everybody in the loop and keep everyone updated because it matters, …A month ago, I was offered a fight with Colby Covington. It took me all of 20 seconds to respond to the email… A month later, we’ve still got no response from Colby. He’s avoiding me like the plague, …one reason and one reason only this fight isn’t happening, and his name is Colby Covington.

Ian Machado Garry via IG reels (@iangarry)

Things took a turn for the worse when the MMA clique jumped the gun on personal disses to Garry and his wife, followed by fighters like ‘Chaos’. Covington made sexual innuendos of “free and available” Layla Anna-Lee based on her satire publication How to be a WAG. References were also made to her ex-husband – Garry’s MMA nutritionist. It just turns out that they keep an association due to the custody and welfare of the kids. However, the personal grievance match will have to wait.

Back in May, Covington denied he ever had an offer for a fight with Garry and was looking for bigger fights. The three-time UFC title challenger hasn’t fought since a loss to then-champion Leon Edwards at UFC 296 PPV last December. Garry competed twice in 2024, defeating Geoff Neal at UFC 298 in February and Michael Page at UFC 303 in June. But the nonchalant Covington just does not care. Luckily, Garry might have other options for UFC Tampa.

Ian Garry slept on after major changes in game, gets a few callouts

Stylistically, Garry is an appealing matchup for many in UFC 170-pound competition. Still 8-0, ‘The Future’ stuck to the digits with Team London Shootfighters point-karate switch striker Page. Under the new guidance of São Paulo metropolis submissions specialist Charles Oliveira, he brought in some intelligent and early ground game. His pockets of sure striking also remain underrated.

Ian Garry may have other options for UFC Tampa
Ian Garry may have other options for UFC Tampa (Source: es.agfight.com/irishmirror.ie)

After his June UFC 303 (ESPN+ pay-per-view) performance, Stephen Thompson wanted to blitz with striker Garry. However, with how fans voiced backlash over the striker-vs-striker clash with him and Page (albeit his takedowns that fans find snoozy at any rate), he thinks this will be tough; especially due to his UFC 307 loss to Joaquin Buckley.

With Colby Covington constantly snubbing his worth and staying out, Sean Brady wanted a piece of both. Although he did instigate some spice with ‘God’s gift to earth’ Machado Garry, he lauds the up-and-comer. After his UFC Vegas 97 (Fight Night 242) win, Brady doubled down and also said Covington is an easy challenge too.

Garry received some criticism for his sudden but light switch to grapple-heavy approach against dangerous striker Page. However, before his Fight Night 242 loss to Brady, Gilbert Burns, a BJJ hero of sorts, lauded the intelligent switch-up. Having trained with him at Kill Cliff FC, Burn was also open to fighting him.

Garry had said he wouldn’t fight down the ranks but then opened up to it to prove he was ready for anyone, anytime. So all these remain an unlikely option close to the title. Burns ranks just one below him. As for Brady, he’s expecting a child with his wife in February but still remains an option for UFC Tampa (December 15 / 11:00 AM GMT+8) from Amalie Arena.