UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry didn’t disappoint in his highly anticipated promotional debut.
Ian Machado Garry returns at UFC Kansas City on Saturday against the always-dangerous Carlos Prates. The two welterweight sluggers could potentially earn a title shot with a win, adding to the high stakes in the upcoming headliner.
Before Garry signed with the UFC in 2021, he was considered one of the hottest welterweight prospects in the world and drew comparisons to Conor McGregor. A Cage Warriors title win led to the UFC matchmakers acting fast to get the talented fighter on its roster.
When they did, Garry didn’t let them down.
Ian Machado Garry’s UFC debut stole the show at UFC 268
Garry faced Jordan Williams in his highly anticipated UFC debut at UFC 268, a card headlined by the rematch between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington. Alex Pereira also made his UFC debut on the card, earning a vicious knockout.
Garry and Williams wasted no time getting after it in the Octagon in their undercard clash. Both fighters landed heavy shots, with Williams at one point stunning Garry with an overhand right.
But Garry was able to withstand Williams’s early barrage and likely UFC debut jitters to find some momentum in the closing minute of the first round. While putting his foot on the gas pedal in the closing seconds, Garry landed a counter right hand that knocked Williams out cold with one second left in the round.
It was a sensational UFC start for Garry, who inexplicably didn’t receive a post-fight performance bonus at UFC 268. He didn’t earn his first UFC bonus until he knocked out Daniel Rodriguez with a head kick at UFC Charlotte in May 2023.
Remember when…
Ian Garry (@iangarryMMA) made the most of his UFC debut, when he finished Jordan Williams with a buzzer beating knockout. (UFC 268).#UFC #MMA #MMATwitter #UFC292 pic.twitter.com/QkfFoXn07V
— Curtis Calhoun (@CalhounOnMMA) August 16, 2023
Ian Machado Garry warned upcoming opponent ahead of UFC Kansas City
Garry is fired up ahead of his short-notice gamble against Prates. In a recent pre-fight message to Prates, Garry promised a brutal stoppage as he labeled Prates a ‘quitter’.
Prates didn’t take kindly to Garry’s comments and added fuel to the fire of their upcoming clash. Prates was supposed to return to the Octagon at UFC 314 last weekend before his originally scheduled opponent, Geoff Neal, withdrew due to injury.
Garry vs. Prates promises to be a firefight at UFC Kansas City for as long as it lasts. After suffering his first professional defeat, Garry has a big chip on his shoulder.
