Ian Machado Garry has given his account of a backstage altercation with Khamzat Chimaev following his victory at UFC Qatar, describing the champion’s behaviour as disrespectful and unnecessary.

The confrontation occurred shortly after Garry defeated former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the co-main event, a win that further elevated the Irish contender’s position in the division. Garry said he was congratulating other fighters when he approached Chimaev, leading to an unexpected exchange. Chimaev attended the event in support of occasional training partner Arman Tsarukyan, who defeated Dan Hooker in the main event in Qatar.

“‘Yeah, f*ck you, brother, f*ck you,’ boom, he tries to push me. I just turned around and went, ‘You’re meant to be a champion of this sport. You’re a child. You’re taking away from your friend’s win over here. How about you calm down, slow down, and have a bit of respect for your friend over here rather than trying to steal the headlines,’” said Garry, according to MMA Fighting.

Chimaev offered a different version of events, saying Garry initiated the encounter and claiming the welterweight contender was attempting to imitate other high-profile fighters. “You know this guy, trying to be Conor but never gonna be Conor,” said Chimaev, per MMA Fighting.

Both fighters are expected to continue with their respective plans, with Garry pushing toward a welterweight title opportunity and Chimaev awaiting his next assignment as middleweight champion. A future matchup between the two could be considered if tensions persist.

The incident adds another layer to ongoing storylines within the UFC, with backstage interactions continuing to influence fighter rivalries and potential matchmaking discussions.