Ahead of their UFC 296 showdown, Vicente Luque and Ian Machado Garry, who have previously trained together, exchanged respectful messages emphasizing the fight is more about being the best in the world and loving the sport than any personal animosity.
Vicente Luque and Ian Machado Garry are gearing up for their UFC 296 showdown, but both fighters are keeping things professional. This isn’t surprising as both men have trained side by side at the Florida-based Kill Cliff FC, among a roster of other talented fighters. Their pairing comes after their individual wins; Luque triumphed over Rafael dos Anjos and Garry overtook Neil Magny.
Although they have trained together, the sportsmen exchanged messages after UFC paired them for an upcoming contest inside the octagon. Their rapport seems respectful despite the inevitable clash. Garry starts off the conversation, “What’s up,” to which Luque replies, “Our paths cross once again, and this time in a different way. Now we’re fighting each other.” Garry responds, noting the situation isn’t about animosity, but about their shared ambition to be the best in the world.
Luque echoes Garry’s sentiments, saying, “For me, it’s always been business. It’s always been about being the best in the world and enjoying this sport that we love so much.” Garry then ups the ante, stating, “You want to be the best in the world. I want to be the best in the world. They’ve matched us together, and you know what? Let’s dance. Let’s go there, let’s put on a f****** show and let’s have some fun.” These passionate discourses show that both fighters respect each other greatly. Garry even goes as far as promising to treat Luque to dinner as remuneration for their previous sparring sessions.