As the countdown to UFC 296 ticks away, the welterweight division is buzzing with anticipation. The spotlight is on the champion Leon Edwards and the rising star Ian Machado Garry. Recently, a gym ban imposed by Edwards on Garry has stirred the MMA community. Let's break down the drama and hear what former two-division champion Daniel Cormier has to say.
The main event on December 16 promises fireworks as Leon Edwards faces off against Colby Covington. Edwards, the reigning welterweight champion, is set to defend his title against the formidable Covington. Meanwhile, Ian Machado Garry, ranked #10, aims to solidify his position in the division against the seasoned Vicente Luque.
Ian Garry, known as "The Future," had plans to train at Team Renegade ahead of his fight with Luque. However, Edwards and his team decided to impose a ban on Garry, citing concerns about his "nomadic approach" to training. Garry, not one to shy away from controversy, questioned the decision, attributing it to Edwards' "insecurities."
Daniel Cormier, a UFC legend and former champion, lent his perspective on the gym ban. Speaking on his Funky and the Champ YouTube show, Cormier emphasized the importance of loyalty in training partnerships. He drew parallels with his own experiences, citing the camaraderie he shared with teammates like Cain Velasquez.
Cormier highlighted a crucial distinction between Edwards and Garry's relationship compared to his own with Velasquez. He pointed out that Garry, with his willingness to fight teammates, doesn't share the same loyalty that often defines prolonged training partnerships. Cormier believes Edwards is justified in safeguarding his team's dynamics.
"Ian Garry's fighting Vicente Luque. Those guys shared the mats at Kill Cliff, one of his actual teams, for years. The moment they were given the opportunity to fight, they took it," Cormier explained.
For an in-depth look into Daniel Cormier's take on the gym ban saga and the dynamics of loyalty in MMA, click here.