Bright ‘Future’ Indeed: Ian Garry’s Ascent to the UFC

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ‘The Future’ Ian Garry (@iangarry)

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC, PFL, Dana White’s Contender Series and “The Ultimate Fighter” live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

A new Irish prospect has joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship ranks in hopes of following in Conor McGregor’s footsteps.

The Las Vegas-based organization in September revealed that former Cage Warriors Fighting Championship welterweight titleholder Ian Garry would face Jordan Williams at UFC 268 on Nov. 6 at Madison Square Garden in New York. To track the Irishman’s path to the Octagon is to get to know him ahead of his promotional debut. Garry, 23, will walk out to a perfect 7-0 record, having compiled those wins against opponents with a cumulative 44-22 mark.

Garry made his first appearance as a pro at CW 101 on Feb. 16, 2019, and it portended a bright future. He dropped James Sheehan inside the first 30 seconds, and while Garry failed to deliver a finish despite his opponent’s eye nearly swelling shut, he overwhelmed the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts alum with constant pressure. At the same time, Garry exposed himself to some unnecessary damage from the Team Ryano representative, who caught him with a few punches. Nevertheless, “The Future” carried all three scorecards with 30-25, 30-25 and 30-27 marks from the judges.



Garry’s path led him to Matteo Ceglia at CW “Unplugged 2” some seven months later, as the Italian filled in for an injured Martyn Harris on short notice. Their encounter concluded 61 seconds into the second round, where the Irishman cut down Ceglia with a flying knee. Ceglia later turned to a career in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, with no plans to return to the cage anytime soon. Garry faced what was then the most difficult test of his career against Mateusz Figlak at CW 110 on Nov. 9, 2019. Both men had two victories under the belt and were viewed as highly touted prospects. Garry withstood a heavy overhand right but composed himself within seconds, dragged the Pole into an exhausting clinch and secured a takedown before locking down his position with a body triangle. Figlak attempted to escape from the rear-naked choke that followed, only to lose consciousness 3:41 into Round 1.

Don't underestimate the ground game of @iangarryMMA - he has some slick submission skills!

We can't wait to see "The Future" make his UFC debut in November! pic.twitter.com/p4mKiImlXK

— Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) September 8, 2021

George McManus and Lawrence Jordan Tracey were hardly stumbling blocks on Garry’s path to his first championship, as he mauled both of them inside two rounds at CW 115 and CW 119. Cage Warriors then offered the Irishman a spot in a four-man tournament for the promotion’s vacant 170-pound title. He vanquished UFC veteran Rostem Akman with a vicious head kick that separated the Swede from his senses 2:28 into the second round of their semifinal. “Kurdimus Prime” left the cage with the assistance of medical personnel and has not fought since the ill-fated March 19 encounter.

How could we talk about @iangarryMMA making his UFC debut and not mention this knockout from #Cw121?!

"The Future" will make his maiden UFC appearance in front of Maddison Square Garden on 6th November! pic.twitter.com/1cjry5MlFg

— Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) September 8, 2021

Three months later in the final, Garry locked horns with two-time Cage Warriors lightweight title challenger Jack Grant. “The Future” had undergone many changes following his victory over Akman at CW 121 and started a romantic relationship with television presenter Layla Anna-Lee, who took over the managerial direction of his career. Garry was training at Team KF Martial Arts at the time, sharpening his skills under the keen eyes of Chris Fields and Tom King. What happened behind closed doors remains a matter of debate, but his cornermen elected not to walk out with Garry at CW 125; current interim Cage Warriors featherweight titleholder Paul Hughes worked the corner instead. The fight itself did not reveal much, as Garry imposed his will on Grant and laid claim to a unanimous decision. He did look distracted at times and spent most of the championship rounds exchanging words with his opponent while pressing him against the fence.

Garry currently trains at the star-studded Sanford MMA camp in Florida, and in matter of weeks, the undefeated Irishman will get his chance to shine inside the Octagon.