Ailing Ian Garry ‘can barely breathe,’ calls into UFC 296 weigh ins show anyway — ‘It’s upsetting and irritating’

Ian Garry may be undefeated inside the Octagon; but against pneumonia, his corner is throwing in the towel.

The welterweight “Future” was forced to withdraw from his UFC 296 pay-per-view (PPV) contest against Vicente Luque on Sat. night (Dec. 16, 2024) in Las Vegas, and subsequently called into the promotion’s official weigh ins show to provide fans with a health update.

Spoiler alert: he’s still sick!

“I can barely breathe,” Garry said. “It’s upsetting and irritating because you guys know I love to fight more than anything and I’ve never pulled out of a fight. I’ve never been in this situation, but here we are, and I’m going to deal with it the way we deal with it, the best in the world.”

Expect an Octagon return in early 2024.

I’m not sure I understand the decision to have Garry call into the weigh ins show if he’s struggling to breathe. Maybe producers wanted to convince fight fans this was a legitimate illness and not a hasty disappearing act in the wake of safety concerns for his family.

As far as his wonky lungs, perhaps it’s time for Garry to visit Dr. Joe Rogan.

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CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLE DIP! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns home to Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sat., Dec. 16, 2023, for its final pay-per-view (PPV) event of the year. In the ESPN+-streamed PPV main event, reigning Welterweight roost-ruler, Leon Edwards, will lock horns with former 170-pound interim kingpin, Colby Covington. In UFC 296’s co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja will put his Flyweight title on the line against Brandon Royval, who earned a rematch with “The Cannibal” after winning three consecutive bouts. UFC 296 will also feature the returns of Paddy Pimblett, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Bryce Mitchell and so much more!

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To check out the latest and greatest UFC 296: “Edwards vs. Covington” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 296 fight card and ESPN+ lineup click here.