Ian Garry had just lost the most important fight of his career.
Across from him stood Islam Makhachev, the champion no one has managed to bring down. But instead of hiding, the Irishman took the microphone and spoke like someone who already knows that defeats can teach you something too.
“I learned this from Charles Oliveira: losing in this sport means nothing. What matters is how you come back after a loss”, Garry said in front of everyone, holding his head high.
There were no excuses or tears of self-pity. Garry was clear: nothing they did that night was wrong; they just fell a little short of reaching the top.
And he ended with a promise that sounds more like a warning: they will come back, and they will try again.