Ian Machado Garry is creating his own legacy

Despite comparisons to fellow Dubliner and UFC great Conor McGregor, Ian Machado Garry is poised to create his own legacy in mixed martial arts. The 25-year-old UFC welterweight is determined to establish his own identity in the sport and become one of the greatest of all time in his own right. 

Since making his UFC debut in Nov. 2021, Garry (12-0, 5-0 UFC) has captured the attention of MMA enthusiasts with his sharp striking. After a career-defining TKO win over Daniel Rodriguez this past weekend, Garry is now expected to be ranked in the 170-pound division. 

In an interview with Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour, Garry shared his six-fight plan aimed at achieving MMA immortality. 

“I want to earn my way to a title shot. I want to earn my way through the top-15 by fighting six guys before I fight for a title,” Garry said. “[Daniel Rodriguez] was the first ranked opponent I ever fought, I knocked him out in three minutes and now we move on to the second.” 

Following his impressive TKO win over Rodriguez, Garry wasted no time calling out UFC veteran Neil Magny, who’s had an established presence in the welterweight division for the past decade. Garry’s eagerness to fight Magny shows his determination to improve his skill set, climb the welterweight rankings and establish his own presence in the UFC. 

“[Neil Magny] has been the gatekeeper of the division for, I would argue, since I’ve been an amateur fighter…before I was anywhere near the UFC,” Garry said. “Me versus Neil Magny is a step up to the rest of the competition I’ve ever faced and it’s exciting for me to go out there and test myself against a guy of his caliber.”

Despite Magny’s scheduled bout with Philip Rowe on June 24, Garry believes a matchup with the No. 11 ranked welterweight is inevitable, regardless of the outcome. 

McGregor’s achievements as a two-division champion in the featherweight and lightweight divisions are widely recognized but Garry has the opportunity to forge his own unique path within the UFC’s welterweight division. While McGregor’s success serves as inspiration, Garry can continue to create his own highlight-reel performances and moments inside the octagon. 

While comparisons to the former champion will undoubtedly continue, due to shared ties to Dublin, Ireland, Garry has the skills to create his own narrative en route to his first UFC title opportunity.