Khamzat Chimaev Warns Ian Garry Over ‘Trying To Be Like Conor’ after UFC Qatar Altercation

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev talks about the physical altercation between him and Ian Garry at UFC Qatar.

Khamzat Chimaev Warns Ian Garry Over ‘Trying To Be Like Conor’ after UFC Qatar Altercation

Khamzat Chimaev didn't appreciate Ian Garry’s approach towards him (via X)

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Arman Tsarukyan defeated Dan Hooker by submission at UFC Qatar, moving one decisive step closer toward the lightweight title shot. The Armenian standout had UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev supporting him in his corner, creating a unique dynamic. Ian Garry secured a strong win on the same card, but his sudden altercation with Chimaev became an unexpected highlight that shocked fans.

After the fights, Ian Garry approached Tsarukyan to congratulate him, where he encountered Chimaev and tapped him on the back. The ‘Borz’ didn’t appreciate the gesture and snapped at Garry and pushed him back in a sudden moment that shocked everyone. After the heated incident, Chimaev explained his version of events to the media, insisting that Garry disrespected him and crossed the boundary.

Don’t punch somebody from behind. He’s tapping my back. If you wanna show respect, respectful touch somebody. He came there to make some hype. You know that guy, trying to be Conor but he’s never gonna be Conor. He’s a (expletive) fighter.

Khamzat Chimaev via UFC Qatar post-fight presser 

Garry is widely recognized for his ‘cocky’ personality and frequent trash talking, which he strategically uses to boost fan engagement.. The Irish welterweight openly admires Conor McGregor, often mirroring the veteran superstar’s promotional style to elevate his growing presence. He aims to restore the Irish dominance once started by McGregor, hoping to recreate that powerful era with his own success.

Last night, Ian Garry outclassed former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, earning a dominant unanimous decision after a technically impressive performance. He utilized his significant height advantage brilliantly to neutralize takedown attempts from ‘Remember The Name’, showcasing elite defensive awareness.

This victory marked Garry’s second consecutive triumph following his impressive win over dangerous knockout specialist Carlos Prates earlier this year. The Irish contender firmly believes he deserves the next title opportunity and confidently called out reigning champion Islam Makhachev afterward.

However, his sudden beef with Khamzat Chimaev was clearly something that nobody had expected. For Garry, it wasn’t something he deliberately wanted to happen, but he was certainly disappointed by how Chimaev acted.

Ian Garry mocks Khamzat Chimaev following UFC Qatar altercation 

Khamzat Chimaev has built a fierce reputation for reacting aggressively whenever provoked, never allowing disrespectful situations to pass without consequence. His history includes intense physical altercations during weigh-ins and backstage confrontations that showcased his readiness to escalate conflicts when challenged.

Khamzat Chimaev gets slammed by Ian Garry
Khamzat Chimaev gets slammed by Ian Garry (via X)

One notorious example occurred when Chimaev brawled backstage with Kevin Holland, forcing security to intervene and separate both clashing fighters. Chimaev also confronted Paulo Costa at the UFC Performance Institute, demonstrating his willingness to escalate disagreements into dangerous physical situations.

Because of these incidents, many fighters understand provoking Chimaev brings consequences, reinforcing his image as an intimidating and volatile presence. Ian Garry used the moment to mock Chimaev for acting impulsively despite his champion status, questioning his composure during challenging situations.

You’re meant to be a champion of this sport. You’re a child… it’s little (expletive) energy. I’ll get him one day. They’re all gonna try and grab a hold of my legs, boring little- don’t get me started

Ian Garry via UFC Qatar post-fight presser 

Few months ago, Chimaev impressively dominated Dricus Du Plessis to capture the UFC middleweight championship. Since then, several top contenders have called him out, yet Chimaev remains primarily focused on pursuing a clash with Alex Pereira. According to Chimaev, his dominant wrestling style represents the only dependable method capable of consistently stopping Pereira’s powerful striking. 

Recent reports indicate Chimaev is dealing with an unfortunate injury that will likely sideline him throughout Ramadan and delay plans. With Garry chasing the welterweight championship, many believe a huge superfight can eventually materialize between the two talented athletes in the next five years.

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