Ian Garry is determined to bring the UFC back to Ireland, and the Portmarnock brawler already has an opponent in mind.
Since making his UFC debut at MSG in November of 2021, Garry has put together five wins while keeping his undefeated record intact. The welterweight’s most recent victory came in Charlotte, where he put on a starstudded performance against Daniel Rodriguez, finishing him within three minutes of the first round. This win placed Garry 13th in the rankings and solidified his legitness as a future title contender. See the incredible dismantling of Rodriguez below.
Ian Garry Wants the UFC to Return to Ireland
The former Cage Warriors champion has been persistent in his pursuit for the UFC to return to his homeland since joining the promotion. But now that he has a number next to his name, it seems even more inevitable. Garry spoke to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour about the importance of the UFC putting on an event in Ireland.
“The Irish deserve the crowd, they deserve the show of the UFC coming back to Ireland. We’ve done so much for the sport. The sport is booming right now at the moment. I’m absolutely smashing it. I’m going to be ranked 15 tomorrow.”
Garry isn’t alone in his efforts to put Ireland back on the map in the MMA world. Currently, Cage Warriors have three Irish champions, one being Paul Hughes, who recently captured gold after a flawless performance against a tough Jordan Vucenic. Earlier in the year, Hughes claimed he’ll have a spot on the Conor McGregor undercard when he fights Michael Chandler later this year (see below). What a UFC debut that would be for the 25-year-old.
Ireland’s Surge of MMA Talent
Ian Garry spoke more about the talent coming out of Ireland and how he plans to be the frontrunner for Irish newcomers in the UFC.
“We’ve got Caolan Loughran, we’ve got Paul Hughes, we’ve got Rhys McKee. Those boys are all on the verge of signing for the UFC now, so it is inevitable that the UFC are going to come back.”
“I believe that after this fight, when I beat Neil Magny, when I smoke someone else in that top 15, that I’m going to be able to pull them back to Europe to get that Irish base breathing again. To get everybody hype, get that fire burning, and then watch all these guys follow behind me to the UFC and just set the stage alight again.”
Wonderboy in Dublin?
Garry loves putting down a plan and executing it, so of course he already has a name in mind for his homecoming fight.
“Could you imagine me vs. Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson as the main event in Dublin, Ireland, and then stack the card with Irish and European talent from top to bottom. You wouldn’t have to sell any other fighters, you just have me and Wonderboy and it would sell it out.”
Stephen Thompson’s next fight is against Michel Pereira at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City, which, in terms of schedule, would work out well for Garry if he is to fight once more before that homecoming fight. Don’t be surprised if the UFC book Garry vs Magny for UFC 293 or 294, and if both fighters win, Garry vs Thompson in Ireland at the end of the year.
Quotes via The MMA Hour
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
