The Ian Machado Garry next fight news should arrive in the next few months. Until then we look at three men he could face in his return to the Octagon, and recap the Irishman’s suffering the first loss of his career at UFC 310.
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Who will Ian Machado Garry next fight be against?
For the first time in his career, Garry was handed a loss. However, his bout with Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 was closely contested, and “The Future” did not lose much momentum in defeat. He is sure to get another major matchup in his UFC return. That is why scraps with Jack Della Maddalena, Kamaru Usman, or Colby Covington are likely next.
- The Aussie: Maddalena is unbeaten after his first seven fights in the UFC, and like Garry, is one of the top prospects in the division. The Aussie is looking to get into title contention and a win over Garry could do that. For the Irishman, victory over the rising star supercharges his momentum.
- The Legend: UFC often likes to book rising stars against aging greats when they are far more beatable. That is why if division legend Kamaru Usman is interested in a return, pairing him up with Garry seems like classic UFC matchmaking.
- Chaos: If Covington can get back in the win column against Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night Tampa, facing Garry next makes a lot of sense on a booking and fight promotion level.
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Ian Machado Garry vs. Shavkhat Rakhmonov recap
Facing Rakhmonov was always going to be a tough matchup for Ian Machado Garry. Especially since he took the fight on a few weeks’ notice. But in the end, he likely earned a lot more respect with his performance in defeat at UFC 310.
What Happened: Over the first couple of rounds, the bout was very close, and “The Future” impressed many fight fans with his ability to stuff Rakhmonov’s takedowns. However, the Kazak star made some key adjustments in round four that led to successful takedowns and racking up some big rounds late in the fight.
The Fallout: The loss definitely stopped Garry’s momentum. But since it was a very close fight and he did some good things against an elite fighter, it didn’t do any notable damage to his standing as a top-five-level fighter at welterweight.
What’s Next? Garry will get a big-name foe in his next fight. But it will likely be an aging star like Usman or Covington so he can beat them and add their legendary name to his resume.
What makes Ian Garry so popular?
“The Future” has only had 13 fights during his career, however, in just seven short years he has become one of the fastest-rising stars in the UFC and is primed to be their next big star out of Ireland. Although he still has much to prove, many believe he could be the welterweight version of countryman Conor McGregor.
- Ian Garry record: 15-1 (7 KOs, 1 Submission)
- Ian Garry weight class: Welterweight
- Ian Garry wife: The Irishman started dating Layla Anna-Lee early in 2021 and almost a year later the pair were married.
- Like many fellow UK fighters, Garry built his reputation fighting in the legendary English promotion Cage Warriors. Before heading to the UFC he was their welterweight champion.
- Many fight fans compare him to Conor McGregor not just because of their Irish roots, but because he has a similar uncanny self-belief that borders on elite-level cocky.
- During his UFC tenure, he has scored impressive wins over established fighters like Neil Magny and Daniel Rodriguez.
- Garry trains out of Kill Cliff gym in Florida where he works with world-class fighters like Gilbert Burns, Michael Chandler, and Vicente Luque.
- His wife was at the center of a strange backlash from fellow fighters like Sean Strickland for her book, “How to Be a WAG.”
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Ian Garry net worth
Money is often the greatest determiner of success in the fight game. While he is still early in his career, Ian Garry’s net worth in 2024 is estimated to be $1.5 million.