A seemingly friendly backstage interaction between UFC fighters Khamzat Chimaev and Ian Garry turned physical and went viral during the UFC event in Qatar, forcing security to intervene between the two athletes.
The Incident That Sparked The Confrontation
The dramatic scene unfolded at ABHA Arena in Doha moments after Ian Garry had secured a significant victory over Belal Muhammad. Garry had moved backstage to congratulate Arman Tsarukyan's team on their win against Dan Hooker when he encountered Chimaev.
What began as a cordial exchange quickly deteriorated when Garry offered a few firm pats on Chimaev's back, intended as a friendly gesture. However, Chimaev perceived the pats as disrespectful, instantly changing the atmosphere between the fighters.
Security Intervention and Viral Moment
UFC security personnel, sensing the escalating tension, immediately stepped between the fighters before the situation could worsen. Garry attempted to calm the security staff, insisting that Chimaev wouldn't fight him backstage and that there was no real threat.
Despite Garry's attempts to de-escalate, Chimaev delivered a hard shove toward the Irish fighter, creating the viral moment that quickly spread across social media platforms. The physical altercation was captured on video and shared widely among MMA fans and analysts.
Aftermath and Fighter Reactions
Ian Garry later addressed the incident during an interview with Ariel Helwani, suggesting that a language barrier might have caused the misunderstanding. He explained that Chimaev might have misinterpreted his tone when he told security they wouldn't fight, potentially taking it as a challenge rather than reassurance.
Meanwhile, former UFC star Darren Till launched a harsh criticism of Garry on social media platform X. Till strongly defended his friend Chimaev while attacking Garry's character, calling him "the fakest human on earth" and "a proper wanker." Till claimed the entire interaction appeared fake and suggested Garry showed fear when turning away from Chimaev.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion within the MMA community about fighter conduct backstage, personality clashes, and how quickly tensions can escalate in high-pressure environments.
