Ian Garry faced his former sparring partner and Kill Cliff FC teammate, Shavkat Rakhmonov, in a highly anticipated bout at UFC 310. The weigh-ins and face-offs were marked by mutual respect, with minimal hostility, and the two even shared a hug during the event. However, once the octagon doors closed, the atmosphere transformed into a tactical and thrilling battle ultimately won by Rakhmonov.

Despite the loss and the end of his undefeated streak, ‘The Future’ remained optimistic and focused on what lies ahead. Garry demonstrated maturity by embracing the setback as a learning opportunity. He also took the time to issue a heartfelt apology to a certain Brazilian phenom, showing his humility and determination to grow from the experience.

Ian Garry’s heartfelt apology to his corner after UFC 310 loss

Ian Garry had the unwavering support of his friends, team, and family leading up to his fight, but there was a surprising addition to his corner—former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. The Brazilian, who secured a victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 309, was there to lend his expertise and offer crucial insights during Garry’s bout.

What made their collaboration even more unique was their ability to communicate seamlessly, as Garry is fluent in Portuguese from his time living in Brazil. This allowed Oliveira to provide Garry with the energy and guidance he needed throughout the fight. Unfortunately, despite the support, Garry lost the fight. However, after the event, an emotional Garry was seen in his room reflecting on the battle. He apologized to Oliveira, expressing his gratitude and regret, while sharing a heartfelt embrace with the Brazilian legend. The bond between them was evident as Garry showed his respect and humility for the champion who had stood by him in his corner.

The Irishman reflected on his performance after the fight, expressing a sense of pride despite the loss. “I can sit here happy and proud of everything I did in that Octagon. Could it have been better? Of course, I could have gotten my hand raised. But I did not feel like I lost that fight,” he said. His gratitude and respect for his corner were evident as he went straight to Oliveira, embracing him tightly and apologizing with a heartfelt, “Sorry, Professor.”

When asked by ESPN MMA why he chose Oliveira to be in his corner, Garry explained, “Energy. The biggest thing I’ve ever encountered with Charles is he just has phenomenal energy. He’s got this element of alpha to him. He walks around with his little strut, but he’s laser-focused. I love the dude… It’s going to be great having him in my corner.” This wasn’t the first time Oliveira had supported Garry in the cage—he was also there for the Dubliner at UFC 303, continuing to be a key part of Garry’s journey in the sport.

Garry and Oliveira’s fond history

Ahead of UFC 303, Ian Garry trained alongside Charles Oliveira for his fight against Michael Venom Page. Their bond was evident, as they were seen together ‘playing with birds’ in the first episode of UFC 298 Embedded: Vlog Series. Oliveira has been a consistent source of support for Garry, especially ahead of UFC 298, where he confidently stated, “Ian is very aware. He fights calmly, and with composure. I believe we will come out victorious.”

During the UFC 310 pre-fight press conference, Garry spoke highly of both his Chute Boxe team and Oliveira, complimenting the Brazilian’s resilience and dedication. Oliveira watched him with a look of admiration, and Garry mentioned how he wasn’t just representing Ireland, but Brazil as well.

This may explain the deep sense of apology Garry expressed to Oliveira after the fight. However, Garry’s spirit remains unbroken, and he’s already looking ahead to his next challenge in the UFC. It will be exciting to see who he faces next in the Octagon.