Ian Machado Garry is known for having ambitious plans for his future in mixed martial arts.
Following his impressive victory over Carlos Prates at UFC Kansas City, the 27-year-old Irish fighter was officially named the backup for the upcoming UFC 315 welterweight title bout between champion Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena. With this position secured, Garry is confident that his opportunity to compete for the championship is imminent, irrespective of whether he steps into the octagon in Montreal on May 10.
Indeed, Garry has already outlined a precise three-fight roadmap for himself, detailing not only his path to becoming champion but also his planned first title defense.
During the UFC Kansas City post-fight press conference, Garry elaborated on his vision. “You guys know I like plans, right?” he stated. “You guys know I have visions in my mind. Well, let me tell you what’s next.” He revealed his intention to face the winner of the UFC 315 clash, predicting Belal Muhammad will emerge victorious, citing a stylistic advantage. “I`m going to fight Belal next. I’m going to beat Belal,” Garry declared, adding that Muhammad himself has frequently acknowledged Garry as his toughest potential opponent in the division.
Garry`s plan continues with his first title defense. “Then when Belal doesn’t have the belt, there’s a certain pound-for-pound No. 1 who wants to come up and his name is Islam Makhachev,” he outlined. Expressing high regard for Makhachev and his fighting style, Garry stated, “I have nothing but love and respect for that man… it would be an honor to share the octagon with him.” He sees this potential matchup as an opportunity to solidify his own standing: “I would love to go out there and prove against him in my first title defense that I’m the pound-for-pound No. 1.”
These are undoubtedly ambitious goals, but Garry`s vision extends further. The third and final step in his immediate plan involves settling a score and avenging the sole defeat of his professional career.
That loss occurred last December when Garry took a short-notice fight against fellow undefeated welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov. Despite nearly securing a late finish in the fifth round, Garry ultimately suffered a decision loss.
Garry openly admits the defeat still weighs on him, but he is channeling it as motivation to eventually secure a rematch against Rakhmonov in the future.
Detailing the third fight in his plan, Garry stated, “I beat [Islam Makhachev], I take that status [as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter]. I win my first title defense and then Shavkat gets the rematch.”
“I’m going to go out there and I am going to dismantle that man and prove that he never won that fight,” Garry asserted regarding the potential rematch. “That’s my next three fight plan. That’s how I see that going and I don’t want it any other way.”
Before any of this unfolds, Garry`s immediate step is to fly to Montreal in two weeks to officially weigh in as the backup fighter for the championship bout.
While acknowledging a slight possibility of competing at UFC 315, Garry understands it`s improbable. Regardless, he plans to closely monitor the main event, expressing his expectation that the reigning champion, Belal Muhammad, will retain his title.
Garry elaborated on his prediction for the UFC 315 main event. “I do think Belal has the advantage,” he stated. While acknowledging Jack Della Maddalena`s striking ability, Garry believes Belal Muhammad`s relentless pressure, grappling integration, and ability to make fights “awkward” pose a difficult stylistic challenge for Della Maddalena. “Belal is the very best at that pressure cooker style… he does not stop coming forward and he mixes in his wrestling,” Garry noted.
“I really do think that’s a stylistically terrible matchup for Jack,” Garry concluded, predicting, “I think we see Belal get the finish in the fourth or fifth round.”
Despite expressing admiration for Della Maddalena as a potential challenger, Garry admitted that facing Belal Muhammad, as the established champion, would hold greater significance for him.
Muhammad, currently on an impressive 11-fight unbeaten streak, has solidified his position as a top welterweight. Garry sees him as the ideal opponent to challenge when his title opportunity arises.
Explaining his preference, Garry stated, “[I’d rather fight] Belal. Nothing to do with style, but just to do with what he’s done in the division. He is the champion. He has beaten former champions. He’s on a however many fight win streak.”
Garry contrasted this with Della Maddalena, suggesting Jack hasn`t accumulated the same body of work. “I feel like Jack has not done the same workload,” he commented, emphasizing his desire to avoid any “question marks” on his own championship legacy. “I want to beat the best guys in the world, and Jack is up there on that level, but I just think Belal has done more to warrant that status.”
