“The Future” really doesn’t like “Rocky.”
Tension has been brewing between No. 6-ranked Welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry and former champion Leon Edwards for nearly two years — and Garry never misses
a chance to take a shot at his fellow U.K. fighter. But according to him, they’ll never fight.
It all started back in 2023, when Garry was gym-hopping across the world in search of the best training partners. During that stretch, he joined Edwards’ Team Renegade in Birmingham, England. The arrangement didn’t last long. Garry was reportedly asked to leave because he was “not adding to the team’s culture.” Edwards later added that while he didn’t knock Garry out in sparring, he did give him “a little taste.”
Fast forward to 2025, and the bad blood hasn’t cooled. Garry has repeatedly taken aim at Edwards — calling him weak, predicting his retirement, and accusing him of lying about what really happened at Renegade.
“They lied, and I don’t like liars,” Garry told Ariel Helwani. “When people make up lies and things that aren’t true. I don’t like that because I know people’s true colors then, and I know the truth…I’ve been saying this for a long time, I think he should be retired, and we might see that.”
Garry went on to say he has no interest in ever sharing the Octagon with Edwards.
“No, it doesn’t bother me [that I won’t fight him]. I have no want, no interest ever for him to ever earn any money off me,” Garry said. If he was willing to fight me for all or nothing, I’d fight him in a heartbeat because I’d make sure he’d leave there absolutely punch-round unconscious and then leave with no benefit. But I have no want to see him, nor his team ever.”
It’s worth noting that Garry has yet to knock anyone unconscious inside the Octagon.
Nevertheless, Garry will be rooting for his former opponent, Carlos Prates, when Prates takes on Edwards at UFC 322 on Nov. 15, 2025, inside Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“I’m going to have a Brazil flag on my shoulders come November 15, cheering Carlos Prates on, watching him spark Leon Edwards unconscious,” Garry concluded. “I’m shocked he took the fight in the first place. He’s gonna absolutely get punch-round.”
A week later, Garry will look to keep his own momentum rolling when he faces Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar.
