At UFC Qatar, Ian Machado Garry secured a victory over Belal Muhammad. However, shortly after the fight, an unexpected confrontation occurred backstage with the reigning UFC middleweight champion, Khamzat Chimaev.
Altercation Details
The incident took place right after Garry congratulated Arman Tsarukyan on his main event win against Dan Hooker. As Garry was leaving to join a post-fight press conference, he approached Chimaev, who was nearby.
Security Intervention
During this interaction, security stepped in. Garry appeared relaxed, assuring the UFC official, “He’s not going to fight me. He’s good.” Suddenly, without provocation, Chimaev shoved Garry, escalating the encounter.
- Garry’s Reaction: “That’s just childish,” he exclaimed.
- Garry emphasized Chimaev needed to uphold the champion’s reputation.
- He addressed Tsarukyan, congratulating him amidst the tension.
Analysis of the Encounter
Prior to the shove, there appeared to be no heated exchanges. The abrupt confrontation raised questions about Chimaev’s reaction to Garry’s comments. Fortunately, unlike previous notorious backstage clashes, this incident did not escalate to physical blows.
The unusual nature of this encounter underscores the unpredictable dynamics within the UFC, especially after celebratory moments. Fans and analysts will be keen to monitor any future interactions between these fighters following the unexpected backstage clash.
