Dana White Reveals Stephen Thompson Turned Down Ian Garry After UFC 292 Callout

Ian Garry dominates Neil Magny at UFC 292, calls out Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson but gets rejected by UFC.

In a monumental victory at UFC 292, which took place on Saturday, August 19, 2023, Ian Garry achieved the most significant triumph of his career. He utterly dominated Neil Magny for three rounds, securing an overwhelming unanimous decision at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Garry's vicious leg kicks earned him a resounding 30-24 scorecard.

Following his impressive performance, Garry expressed his desire to challenge himself against the best striker in the UFC, none other than Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson. Garry acknowledged that this victory propelled him into the UFC top 10 and emphasized his ambition to establish himself as the division's most exceptional striker. He firmly believed that to claim the title of the world's best striker, he must defeat the likes of Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson, who is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the sport. Garry passionately declared his readiness to face Thompson in a five-round battle, asserting that he embodies the next generation of strikers.

However, it appears that Garry's wish to fight "Wonderboy" will not be fulfilled in the immediate future. During the post-fight press conference for UFC 292, UFC President Dana White disclosed that the former Welterweight title contender had declined a fight against Garry. White emphasized that matchmaking is a fundamental part of the UFC's operations and expressed disappointment at the refusal.

While it currently seems unlikely that this matchup will materialize, one cannot discount the possibility that this is merely a negotiation tactic employed by the promotion. The UFC has a reputation for engaging in strategic negotiations, and it is plausible that "Wonderboy's" recent refusal to fight Michel Pereira at UFC 291, which resulted in him not receiving his show money, may have influenced his decision to turn down the opportunity to face Garry.

As for Ian Garry, his undefeated record in the UFC stands at 6-0, with three knockout victories. He continues to demonstrate improvement with each fight, showcasing his skills and determination inside the octagon.

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