Ian Machado Garry supports Joaquin Buckley ahead of the “b*tch” Covington fight: “Put that man to sleep!”

Ian Machado Garry, the unbeaten Irish welterweight fighter, has publicly shown his support for Joaquin Buckley ahead of his upcoming bout against Colby Covington. Originally scheduled to fight Buckley in December, Garry now faces Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in Las Vegas after an injury forced Belal Muhammad out of his championship fight. Even though Garry’s opponent has changed, he remains committed to backing Buckley to knock out Covington in their December fight.

Garry’s Shift in Opponents at UFC 310

Garry’s original matchup with Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa on December 14 was unexpectedly rearranged. Following the withdrawal of welterweight champion Belal Muhammad due to injury, Garry was quickly moved to face undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. With Garry no longer facing Buckley, the UFC quickly booked Buckley against Colby Covington, who is making his return after a loss to Leon Edwards in December 2023.

This change of plans led to UFC Tampa headlining Covington vs. Buckley, a matchup that has generated significant buzz. While Garry is focused on his own fight, he has made it clear that he is fully behind Buckley in his upcoming showdown with Covington, who has drawn significant criticism for his trash-talking persona in the welterweight division.

Garry’s Bold Message to Buckley: “Put That Man to Sleep”

In an Instagram post, Garry expressed his full support for Joaquin Buckley, urging him to deliver a knockout to Covington. Garry wrote, “Go out and put that man to sleep. Please and thank you. Do it for me because he’s not able to do it against me.” This passionate message underscores Garry’s frustration with Covington and highlights the bad blood between them. Garry has been vocal about his desire to fight Covington, a matchup that has yet to happen, despite his repeated calls for it.

Garry’s plea to Buckley is more than just a call for a great fight; it reflects his own frustrations with Covington’s antics and his hope that Buckley will get the opportunity to take down the outspoken fighter.

Buckley Responds to Garry’s Support

Joaquin Buckley was quick to respond to Garry’s public message of support. In an interview with MMA reporter James Lynch, Buckley expressed his gratitude, noting that Garry was the only fighter to publicly root for him in this matchup. Buckley agreed with Garry’s frustrations toward Covington and emphasized the importance of holding Covington accountable for his controversial comments. Buckley shared, “I agree with him and his frustration… For Colby Covington to be out here, regardless of if we know it’s an act or not, you gotta pay for the words that you say.”

Buckley also mentioned that Garry had been pursuing a fight with Covington, but it never materialized. Now, Buckley is determined to seize the opportunity to knock out Covington, honoring Garry’s wish and potentially fulfilling a long-awaited dream for both fighters.

The Stakes of the Fight: Anticipation Builds

As UFC Tampa approaches, the fight between Joaquin Buckley and Colby Covington is one of the most anticipated matchups of the year. While Ian Machado Garry won’t be in the Octagon for this particular event, his support for Buckley adds an intriguing layer to the story. Fans are eagerly watching to see if Buckley can deliver the knockout Garry is hoping for and whether Covington will face consequences for his divisive behavior.

With Garry now focused on Shavkat Rakhmonov, his message to Buckley stands as a symbol of his disdain for Covington and his desire for a shift in the welterweight division. As the fight draws closer, all eyes will be on Buckley to see if he can live up to Garry’s bold request and make a statement inside the Octagon.