It wasn’t a punch, not a kick — just a sudden shove. But in the high-stakes world of UFC, where every glance carries weight, a single push backstage at UFC QatarQatar on November 22, 2025, ignited a firestorm. Khamzat Chimaev, the undefeated, hyper-aggressive welterweight phenom from Dagestan, shoved Ian Machado Garry, his undefeated rival, during post-fight chaos. No words were exchanged before the shove. No warning. Just tension, snapped. And now, the entire MMA world is waiting to see if this moment becomes the spark for the fight everyone wants: Chimaev vs. Garry.
The Moment That Broke the Calm
The altercation happened in the restricted backstage area of the event venue — likely the Lusail Sports Arena, where UFC has hosted its Middle East events since 2023. Fighters, coaches, and production staff were winding down after the main card. Sources say Chimaev, visibly agitated after his own win, moved toward Garry, who was waiting for his post-fight interview. Then, without provocation, Chimaev shoved him hard enough to stagger him back. Witnesses described it as sudden, deliberate, and unprovoked.
What followed wasn’t a brawl — it was a reckoning. Garry didn’t retaliate physically. Instead, he went straight to the camera. Two days later, in a raw, 22-minute interview with TNT Fight Sports, he laid it all out. "It practically came out of nowhere," Garry said. "He was looking for a way out. I felt like after that moment he started to panic. And that’s when I was like, ‘Right, he’s going to go for the legs.’"
"The Balls Are in His Court"
Garry didn’t just recount the shove — he weaponized it. In the same interview, he delivered a challenge that sent shockwaves through the fanbase. "He can choose it wherever he wants. The balls in his court whenever he’s ready, whenever he wants. If he wants to do it in Dagestan, Russia, I will see him there. I’m not afraid of any man walking this earth." He didn’t stop there. "Islam Makashev has to go into that fight and he has to grab my leg," Garry said — a clear misstatement, since the only name in question is Chimaev. But the intent was unmistakable: he’s calling out the Russian powerhouse directly, invoking national pride and regional rivalry. "We’re going to stop the Russians from having their success," he added, referencing his own Georgian heritage and the deep-seated cultural tensions between Georgia and Dagestan.
His critique of Chimaev’s fighting style was just as pointed. "Bal Muhammad is nowhere near as dangerous," Garry said, referencing an unknown figure — possibly a misheard name or a symbolic stand-in for a lesser opponent. "So when he got into those positions, it doesn’t submit people, doesn’t knock people out. So I was like, get out of here and crack him." It’s a brutal assessment. Chimaev, 12-0-0, is known for his suffocating pressure and elite takedowns — but he’s never finished a fight by knockout. Garry, 11-0-0, is a striker with devastating hands and a calm, calculating demeanor. He’s saying Chimaev can’t hurt him. That’s not just trash talk. That’s psychological warfare.
Why This Matters More Than a Shove
This isn’t just about two fighters having a bad day. It’s about legacy. Chimaev, once dubbed "Borz," was supposed to be the next dominant force in the welterweight division — a man who could unify titles and redefine the weight class. But injuries, delays, and questions about his mental state have stalled his ascent. Garry, meanwhile, has been quietly building his case as the most dangerous unbeatens in the division — a technician with killer instincts.
The shove turned a simmering rivalry into a full-blown public feud. And now, the UFC faces a dilemma: do they let this fester, or do they force the fight? The organization has historically been cautious with Chimaev, prioritizing his health and marketability. But Garry’s unflinching challenge — delivered with such clarity and conviction — leaves them no easy out.
There’s no official statement from the UFC. No fines announced. No disciplinary action reported. That silence speaks volumes. In the past, when fighters clashed publicly, the UFC often stepped in quickly to quell the drama. This time? Nothing. It’s as if they’re waiting to see who flinches first.
What Comes Next? The Fight That Could Change Everything
Garry made it clear: he’s ready. He’s willing to go to Dagestan. He’s willing to fight on any stage, anytime. Chimaev? Still silent. His last public appearance was a brief post-fight interview where he smiled, thanked his team, and walked away. No mention of Garry. No reaction to the shove.
That silence is the most dangerous thing of all. In MMA, silence after a provocation is often interpreted as fear. Or avoidance. Or calculation. Garry’s camp believes Chimaev’s shove was a sign of weakness — a man who couldn’t handle the pressure of a real challenge. Chimaev’s team? They’re saying nothing. That’s the real story.
UFC 312 in January? UFC 314 in March? The next event in Saudi Arabia? The timing doesn’t matter. What matters is this: if the UFC books this fight, it’s not just another matchup. It’s a cultural clash. A battle of styles. A test of courage. And if Chimaev backs down? His aura as an unstoppable force shatters.
Behind the Scenes: The Real Stakes
Behind the scenes, the stakes are financial. Chimaev is a global draw. Garry is a rising star with a cult following. A fight between them could sell out a stadium in London or Abu Dhabi. It could break pay-per-view records. But more than that — it could define a generation.
For Garry, this is his moment to step out of the shadows. For Chimaev, it’s his last chance to prove he’s still the man to beat. And for fans? They’ve waited years for this. Now, they’re just waiting for one man to say yes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Khamzat Chimaev shove Ian Machado Garry?
The exact reason remains unclear. No verbal exchange was captured before the shove, and neither fighter has publicly explained their actions. Garry believes Chimaev was panicking and trying to avoid confrontation, while Chimaev’s team has remained silent. In MMA culture, such physical contact often stems from accumulated tension — not a single incident.
Is there a fight scheduled between Chimaev and Garry?
No official fight has been announced. Garry has openly challenged Chimaev to fight anywhere, including Dagestan, but Chimaev has not responded. The UFC has not confirmed any matchmaking plans. Fans are speculating about events in early 2026, but nothing is confirmed.
How do their records compare going into this feud?
As of November 2025, Khamzat Chimaev holds a perfect 12-0-0 record, while Ian Machado Garry is undefeated at 11-0-0. Both are top-5 welterweights. Chimaev’s wins are mostly by submission or decision; Garry’s are largely by striking. Their styles are polar opposites — making the potential matchup one of the most compelling in recent UFC history.
What role does national identity play in this rivalry?
Garry, who is of Georgian descent, has invoked regional pride, referencing "friends in Georgia" and vowing to "stop the Russians from having their success." Chimaev, from Dagestan, Russia, represents a region historically dominant in MMA. The cultural tension between Georgia and Dagestan adds emotional weight beyond sport — turning this into more than a fight, but a symbolic clash.
Will the UFC punish Chimaev for the shove?
As of now, no disciplinary action has been taken. The UFC has historically been lenient with backstage altercations unless they involve violence, weapons, or public safety violations. A shove, while unprofessional, rarely results in fines or suspensions unless it escalates. Silence from the organization suggests they’re letting the narrative play out — possibly to build hype for a future fight.
Why is Garry so confident he can beat Chimaev?
Garry believes Chimaev’s style — reliant on takedowns and ground control — won’t work on him. He points to Chimaev’s lack of knockouts and finishes as evidence he can’t hurt elite strikers. Garry’s calm demeanor, precise counter-striking, and ability to control distance make him uniquely suited to neutralize Chimaev’s pressure. He’s not just confident — he’s calculated.
