Former UFC champion Rampage Jackson has welcomed numerous fighters onto his podcast, but one notable absence is Ian Garry.
Last year, Jackson launched his ‘Jaxxon’ podcast, featuring interviews with a slew of fighters like Gilbert Burns, Cain Velasquez, and more. Among the fighters he aimed to chat with was Ian Garry.
Dubbed ‘The Future,’ Garry is set to take on Geoff Neal at UFC 298 later this month. This fight comes hot on the heels of Garry’s withdrawal from a bout with Vicente Luque at UFC 296 in December due to illness.
The lead-up to the canceled Luque fight was turbulent for Garry. His personal life faced scrutiny, and former teammates, including Brendan Allen, criticized his trash-talking of Luque. Despite once being close, Garry and Allen’s friendship soured over the bout.
Jackson expressed genuine interest in interviewing the young welterweight. However, Garry declined the invitation, fearing ridicule on Jackson’s podcast. In an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Jackson addressed the situation, denying any intent to mock Garry. Nonetheless, he made comments poking fun at Garry’s personal life.
“We already had somebody decline because they said I was going to make fun of them but I haven’t really been making fun of him,” Jackson said on The MMA Hour, referring to Garry. “Honestly I can’t remember his name but I think it was that guy that, what’s his name? Ian? I think they finally got him on, he didn’t wanna come at first. What’s his name? Ian the c***, Ian with the wife that’s got the boyfriend living with them. Ian Garry.”
He continued, “What? I’m not gonna make fun of him? Is that true though that his wife got a boyfriend living with them? Oh it’s not true? That’s a rumour too?”
While Garry prepares for his upcoming fight, Jackson has his own return planned. Having been absent from the cage since a 2019 knockout loss to Fedor Emelianenko, Jackson is set to face Shannon Briggs in a boxing match in June, reigniting a long-standing rivalry.
