Ian Machado Garry is firmly in the hunt for the welterweight belt – and his own mantlepiece to display it on.
The undefeated Irishman made it 15-0, with his last eight in the UFC, as he did the deed once again in Las Vegas, defeating Michael ‘Venom’ Page by unanimous decision at UFC 303. ‘The Future’ is now banging on the door of a title shot as he proved that he is very much at home with the elite fighters in the 170lb division.
While based primarily at Chute Boxe in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Garry has been constantly globetrotting since joining the UFC in 2021 in order to get the best training available. However, with wife Layla and young son Leo, the time has now come for the Dubliner to put down some roots.
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Having got his hand raised against Londoner ‘MVP’, he said: “I now want to go home and spend time with my wife and family. In fact, I haven’t got a home.
“I have been travelling the world for three and a half years, staying in Airbnbs and hotels, because I am so driven to become one of the best that has ever been in this game. That means I have taken everything else out of consideration and just focused on that.
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“But I need to buy my little boy a home, I need to buy him a bed, get him a bedroom. I need to play house with my wife and enjoy that whole (domestic) lifestyle. I want that for my life and to have that safety and security.”
With interest rates in the 26-year-old rising rapidly, Garry revealed he is happy to move closer to home next and be the back-up fighter for Leon Edwards’ welterweight title defence against Belal Muhammad in Manchester on July 27. He added: “We’ve got Manchester in three weeks. I’ll be there.
“I’ve already told the UFC I will be willing to stand in. I know there’s no one else above me ready to go. I will be there in Manchester, I will stand on that scale and if the opportunity arises, I will go out there and get my hand raised.”
If Garry’s opening offer to face the champion is knocked back, however, then fellow unbeaten fighter Shavkat Rakhmonov, who is No.3 in the rankings, is next on his hit list when someone’s ‘0’ will have to go.
He said: “I would love to go again in Las Vegas in December. There will only be a couple of people above me (in the rankings), so give me Shavkat – 18-0 versus 15-0. Let’s do it and I will go out there and put on a show, like I always do, and get my hand raised.”
(Image: PA)
UP NEXT:
UFC on ESPN 59, Sunday, July 14, 3am. Two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas continues her bid for flyweight gold against Tracy Cortez in Denver.
MONEY MATCH:
Cortez doesn’t fight too often but usually wins when she makes the cage and so back her at 31/20 to see off ‘Thug Rose’. Odds and full UFC betting available at BetMGM.co.uk.
FINAL SAY:
“He’s ready to turn around and wants to fight again right away. He’s that guy. He’s a savage. The guy’s an absolute stud.” UFC president Dana White hails Alex Pereira after he stepped in again to save another PPV.