UFC Veteran Darren Till Lambasts Ian Machado Garry's Character After Chimaev Backstage Incident

Following a contentious backstage encounter at UFC Qatar, mixed martial arts veteran Darren Till has launched a scathing critique of rising welterweight star Ian Machado Garry, labeling him as "fake" and "unlikeable." Till’s comments, shared extensively on social media, stemmed from an altercation between Garry and Khamzat Chimaev, a close friend and former training partner of Till, which unfolded moments after Garry’s significant victory in the co-main event.

The incident occurred in the immediate aftermath of UFC Qatar, where Ian Machado Garry secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over top welterweight contender Belal Muhammad. This performance marked a significant step forward in Garry’s undefeated professional career, further solidifying his position within the competitive welterweight division. However, the celebration was short-lived as Garry found himself in a heated confrontation with middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev backstage. Chimaev, who was present at the event cornering his friend Arman Tsarukyan, reportedly initiated the physical exchange by shoving Garry, escalating a verbal dispute into a tense moment that required intervention.

Observing the unfolding drama, Darren Till, known for his outspoken nature and close ties to Chimaev, wasted no time in publicly dissecting Garry’s conduct. Taking to social media, Till did not dispute Garry’s fighting prowess but expressed profound disdain for his public persona. "Ian Garry is such a good fighter man but by god is he possibly the fakest human on Earth?" Till wrote, articulating his strong feelings. "Fake beyond all beliefs. It’s so hard to like him. I’ve literally sat in my bedroom with my own little demons in my head telling me to force myself to like him."

Till specifically targeted Garry’s demeanor during the confrontation with Chimaev, accusing him of disingenuous behavior. "He’s calling Khamzat a child. He was being fake. That whole interaction was fake. And when Ian turned you could see he was scared," Till asserted. The Liverpudlian fighter’s defense of Chimaev was evident, underscoring their well-documented bond. "Khamzat is like me. That’s why we were best mates. If you chat s*** when we see you what is. Ian is a really good fighter but he’s just such so unlikeable. So so, so unlikeable."

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The strong defense of Khamzat Chimaev by Darren Till is deeply rooted in their established alliance, affectionately known as the "Smesh Bros." For several years, Till and Chimaev have forged a close friendship and training partnership, frequently sharing camps and offering mutual support. Their collaboration gained significant attention within the MMA community, with Till often traveling to Sweden to train alongside Chimaev and his team. This shared history and personal connection undoubtedly influenced Till’s perspective on the backstage incident, leading him to vocally side with his friend and cast judgment on Garry’s character. Despite Till’s own departure from the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2023 following a period of injury and inconsistent performances, he remains an influential voice within the sport, often sharing his insights and opinions on current events and fighters.

Till’s criticism of Garry extended beyond the Chimaev incident, delving into past controversies surrounding the Irish fighter’s public image and interpersonal relationships within the sport. Till specifically referenced Garry’s reported comments regarding UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards, stating, "Even hating on Leon’s performance the way he did, Garry got kicked out of that gym as he did of others [cause] he’s a w*nker at the end of the day." It is important to clarify that while Till attributed this criticism to Garry regarding Edwards’ performance, Leon Edwards is the reigning UFC Welterweight Champion and has maintained a dominant run, successfully defending his title multiple times without suffering a recent loss. The specific claim of Edwards suffering "a third loss in a row when he was knocked out by Carlos Prates at UFC 322" as stated in the original context, is factually incorrect and does not align with Edwards’ current career trajectory or the UFC event schedule.

Nevertheless, Till’s comments highlight a known friction point in Garry’s career: his past departure from Edwards’ former training facility, Team Renegade in Birmingham, England. Edwards himself confirmed in a previous interview with MMA Fighting that Garry "just didn’t fit into the gym" and was ultimately "booted" due to a "culture clash" among teammates. This episode contributed to a polarizing perception of Garry, who has cultivated an outspoken public persona, often referring to himself as "The Future" of the welterweight division. Garry now trains full-time in Brazil at Chute Boxe, a renowned gym, alongside former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira, a move that marked a significant shift in his training environment. Till concluded his critique with unequivocal language, reiterating his strong negative view: "As much as he’s a good fighter and I’ve tried to support Ian Garry is just a proper, proper wnker. A fake wnker at that."

The fighters involved in this public spat represent various stages of their respective careers. Ian Machado Garry, an undefeated welterweight with a professional record of 14 wins and 0 losses (14-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), is widely considered one of the sport’s most promising prospects. His calculated striking and confident demeanor have propelled him quickly up the rankings, though his polarizing personality has often drawn as much attention as his in-cage performances. Khamzat Chimaev, also undefeated at 13-0 MMA (7-0 UFC), has dominated opponents across both welterweight and middleweight divisions with his aggressive, high-pressure grappling and striking. His reputation as a formidable and intimidating presence within the UFC has been solidified through a series of explosive finishes. Belal Muhammad, despite the mischaracterization in the original context, remains a top-ranked welterweight contender with an impressive winning streak, characterized by his relentless pace and strong wrestling acumen, putting him firmly in contention for a title shot. Leon Edwards, the reigning UFC Welterweight Champion, boasts a remarkable comeback story and a well-rounded skillset that has seen him defeat some of the division’s elite.

This latest exchange of words and physical confrontation underscores the volatile mix of personalities and high stakes inherent in professional mixed martial arts. While Garry continues his ascent in the welterweight division, his public persona and interactions with peers like Chimaev and Till ensure he remains a central, albeit often controversial, figure in the ongoing narrative of the sport.