
Henry Cejudo does not expect Ian Garry to receive another UFC title opportunity after his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 330.
The former two-division champion criticized Garry's reserved approach to the welterweight title bout, telling MMA Junkie that the Irishman failed to promote the fight properly. Garry dropped a decision to Makhachev earlier this month despite giving the champion a competitive test across five rounds, but the 28-year-old's mid-fight embrace with Makhachev before the final frame drew backlash from fans and UFC CEO Dana White alike.
Cejudo believes Garry misread what the UFC values in title contenders. "After a performance like that, do you think the UFC is going to give him an opportunity to fight for the title again?" Cejudo said, per MMA Junkie. "He didn't really sell the fight and it was just too kumbaya and whatnot. It was ridiculous. Dana White doesn't like that. For those fighters looking to get his attention and looking to get paid, you have to be able to sell the fight. Ian Garry just missed all the boxes."
The Irishman faced boos at the pre-fight press conference and ceremonial weigh-ins after requesting reporters avoid certain topics at media day. He also drew criticism for frequently involving his son in fight week obligations. Cejudo took aim at Garry's public comments about having time to reach championship status, arguing the welterweight is mistaken if he believes future title shots are guaranteed.
"It was all about his kid, his wife, his well-being, and how he's 28 years old; he still has time to become champion," Cejudo added. "It doesn't work like that, Ian. If I was to give Ian advice on that, 'Bro, the time is now.'" Garry now holds a 17-2 record following the first title fight of his UFC career.
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