Irish prospect Ian Machado Garry failed to show up for his scheduled media appearance at UFC 296 media day, leaving reporters and fans wondering where he was.
The 26-year-old was expected to be the first to take questions, but Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson ended up being the one to kick off the event. As the day went on and more fighters appeared, Machado Garry was noticeably absent.
UFC officials later confirmed that Garry “will not be available today,” and attempts to get a comment from his representative, Lloyd Pierson, were unsuccessful.
In the lead-up to his fight with Vicente Luque, Garry found himself embroiled in controversy, particularly when UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland made derogatory comments about Garry and his wife. This resulted in a public feud and even the threat of legal action.
Because of the online harassment and threats, Machado Garry expressed concerns about the safety of his family and their well-being while in Las Vegas for the fights.
Although Machado Garry made it to Las Vegas for UFC 296 fight week, he did not show up for media day, leaving his next scheduled appearance at the pre-fight press conference on Thursday.
In response to Machado Garry’s absence, Luque addressed the situation during his own media session, expressing support for Garry’s decision to prioritize his family’s safety.
“If he feels that is the best decision for his family’s safety, then that’s what he has to do,” Luque said. “It’s unfortunate for him to miss out on the media attention, but family comes first.”