Ian Machado Garry was involved in a tense backstage face-off with UFC rival Michael Morales just moments after his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 on Saturday night.
The Dublin fighter, 28, fell short in his first shot at UFC gold, showing glimpses in the third round but ultimately losing on all three judges' scorecards to the welterweight champion.
Backstage confrontation
As Machado Garry made his way backstage after going 25 minutes with the pound-for-pound number one, he bumped into fellow welterweight Morales. Several words were exchanged before the pair shook hands and parted ways.
"All the s*** you talk... it's ok. You make sure you back it up," said Machado Garry. "I don't know whatever story you made up about meeting me... I've never encountered that story. Listen, you are a good fighter. Show up. Keep winning and you can do anything. You have got massive fights in this division."
Morales undefeated streak
Morales remains undefeated in 19 professional fights and looks set to be next in line for a crack at Makhachev's title. The 27-year-old knockout artist stopped Sean Brady in the first round last November.
Machado Garry added: "You have got me, you have got (Carlos) Prates, you have got Islam (Makhachev). Show up and fight. You are an animal, you are strong. I don't know any story where I have met you and chat s*** to you. In this sport, if people talk s***, I ignore. Spread good, do good. You have knocked people out, you beat people up, that's what gets respect."
Garry reaction to defeat
Reacting to the defeat, Machado Garry told Joe Rogan: "Nothing surprised me. I have nothing but respect for Islam. I believed in my heart and in my soul I was better than him tonight; he won, I have no complaints, no excuses."
"This was the best camp of my life. I love my wife, my little boy, I fight to make them happy. I'm 28 years of age, I have a decade of domination in this sport. This man won today, that's okay. I'm as f***ing bulletproof as I could be up here [mentally]. To all the fans that doubt me, I'll be back. I don't need any of you, so go f*** yourselves!"
In a later video uploaded to his social media, Machado Garry stated: "Tonight wasn't my night. Islam was just better than me tonight and that's okay. I just fought arguably the greatest fighter we've ever seen, and I pushed him to the f****** wire. I'm so proud of myself."
