When you look at what it takes to be a superstar in the UFC, Ian Garry checks just about every box. He’s got the looks, the character, the charisma, the youth, a fun accent, and the fight record to back it all up.
Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, there’s no question he would draw Conor McGregor comparisons. Perhaps the only thing that is surprising is just how quickly he’s drawn the comparisons, but that only speaks to how quickly his career is taking off.
Garry made his UFC debut at UFC 268 in November, 2021 in Madison Square Garden, the same building where McGregor became the UFC’s first ever “champ champ.” Both Garry and McGregor were former Cage Warriors (Ireland’s biggest MMA promotion) champions, so the comparisons are quite warranted.
Garry’s nickname is “The Future”, and there’s reason to believe that isn’t just being cocky. I sat down with the 24 year old to talk about why Ian Garry is indeed “The Future”.
You can view the full interview here:
What was it like making your UFC debut at Madison Square Garden at UFC 268?
“Look it’s the most iconic sporting venue in the world in regards to fighting… When you think of the people that have stepped foot inside of Madison Square Garden and the history behind, like Muhammad Ali and Mayweathers, the Pacquiaos, and it goes on. You’ve got boxing, you’ve got Conor McGregor, you’ve got all these guys. People that are creating legacies and history in all their respective sports. To go into that iconic venue on my UFC debut and have that red carpet rolled out for me. It’s like here you go, let’s give you the biggest card of the year at the most iconic venue in the world. Go in and do it.”
“Did I feel a little bit of kind of, not nerves but a feeling of overwhelmness, yeah. Bruce Buffer is calling my name, I’ve dreamed of being in this cage. I’ve sat and watched UFC main events and UFC cards with my mates for years and it’s like I’m in this. I’m wearing the same gear I’ve seen people walk in… it was a dream come true mate. But now we’re past that and now we move forward and just beat people up and do it.”
People have already started comparing you to Conor McGregor. What does that mean to you when you hear those comparisons?
“It’s comparing me to someone who changed the game. So if that’s the comparison I’m getting then I’ll take it and run with it because that’s my plan, change the game. I want to bring my own personality to this sport and share it with the world and I hope people can embrace my career as if they’re a part of it and they can embrace that feeling and feel like they’re a part of it because I know that many of me and my friends felt the connection to Conor’s career just out of pure enjoyment. Just out of being Irish and watching him compete on the weekends. We got that buzz of seeing him competing and that’s what I want for people. So if that’s what I’m being compared to then I’ll take it and run with it.”
“It’s comparing me to someone who changed the game. so if that’s the comparison I’m getting then I’ll take it and run with it.”
Do you think you’ll cross paths with him in the future?
“We’re gonna share a card together mate. That’s what’s gonna happen. The UFC would be stupid not to do it and I don’t think the UFC wouldn’t jump on that bandwagon of putting me on that same card when he comes back. It would be MASSIVE.”
Which route are you taking with you career; pushing for a title as quick as possible or taking your time and building yourself up slowly?
“I’m 24 years of age. I’m in no rush. When you look at someone like Darren Till, he’s not my age he wasn’t as young as me in the sport… everyone’s different and maybe he felt like he had to be fast tracked because of his age, who knows, I can’t speak about other people’s lives. But I’m 24. I have a lot of time to grow and learn and gain experience and gain knowledge and train amongst the best in the world at Sanford MMA, just reap the rewards of being in the position I am for as long as I can.
I’m in no rush to get to the title but I’m also in no rush to slow down. I wanna keep going. I wanna fight, I wanna be active, I wanna make my name. I wanna show everyone that I’m ready to go against anyone, any time, any place, I don’t care. For me it’s a case of I want to fight three times a year every year, and when the title comes the title comes. The longer it takes me to get there the longer I’m going to have it.”
“I’m in no rush to get the title but I’m also in no rush to slow down… The longer it takes me to get there, the longer i’m going to have it.”
At what point are you at a milestone where you drop “The Future” nickname?
“When I’m done. The future is inevitable mate. It’s inevitable. You can’t stop what’s inevitable.”
Ian Garry’s next fight is currently scheduled for UFC 273 on April 9 in Jacksonville, FL.
