Chael Sonnen makes surprising UFC 'Character Development of the Year' pick for surviving heavy backlash from fans: "That was one amazing dance"

Chael Sonnen, a three-time UFC title challenger, knows a thing or two about character. However, the fighter he selected as the recipient for his symbolic award for the most character development of 2024 was likely unexpected, as he highlighted Ian Machado Garry above all others.

Between 2023 and 2024, the Irishman was the target of relentless trash talk from both the MMA fanbase and his own UFC roster-mates, which only intensified after Garry withdrew from UFC 296 after contracting pneumonia. Many were unconvinced, believing that Garry was trying to avoid the pre-fight presser.

"If there's anybody from a character development standpoint that changed in 2024, it's Ian Garry. Guys, it was one year ago when Ian Garry didn't show up to the press conference and we, the whole community was pinning on him, that he was going through the stuff, and you said they'd written the book and it was on Amazon."

Sonnen, however, believes Garry has exhibited tremendous growth following a difficult period during which his marriage to his wife, Layla Anna-Lee, was attacked by many due to their age difference and the 'How to be a WAG' satirical book she had written.

"We were wrong. Ian did not call in sick because he was scared of a press conference or because he cared and backed down from the world because of a book that was posted on Amazon. He did not do that at all, and that was one amazing dance. The way that he had to dance, while keeping the face of his family and the pride that he had to show, and if anyone ever stuck to the theory 'don't ever let them see you sweat,' it was Ian Garry."

Check out Chael Sonnen's comments on Ian Machado Garry (1:07 and 2:11):

The Irishman recently earned some favor from the MMA fandom for stepping in on short-notice against unbeaten Kazakh phenom Shavkat Rakhmonov. At UFC 310, Garry became the first fighter to survive the entire fight without getting finished by 'The Nomad,' and he mounted a respectable offense, despite still losing.

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Chael Sonnen is closely affiliated with one of Ian Machado Garry's rivals

Despite the praise he has heaped on Ian Machado Garry, Chael Sonnen still serves as a mentor and role model for Colby Covington. The former interim welterweight champion has taken inspiration from Sonnen's trash-talking past, using his own skills to verbally attack Garry.

Throughout 2023 and part of 2024, Covington hurled several insults at Garry and his wife, making improbable demands of Garry for a potential fight that never took place.