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Ian Machado Garry next fight: 3 opponent options for ‘The Future,’ including Colby Covington

ian machado garry next fight
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Ian Machado Garry next fight news should arrive soon, until then we offer up three opponent options for the Irishman, including a matchup with former interim champion Colby Covington.

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Who will Ian Machado Garry next fight be against?

To kick off his 2024 UFC schedule, Machado Garry scored another victory — this time over Geoff Neal — to stay unbeaten over his first 14 professional fights. With another win in the bag, the ranked welterweight is likely to get a big-name foe in his next fight. That is why matchups with Colby Covington, Stephen Thompson, and Sean Brady are likely next.

  • Chaos: Machado Garry called for a fight with Covington before and after his win at UFC 298. If Covington is willing to face a fighter lower in the top 10, the matchup makes a lot of sense and the build-up to the bout would be very entertaining.
  • Wonderboy: Machado Garry vs. Thompson would be a fantastic clash of gifted and rangy strikers from two different eras. Plus, it would be a big opportunity for both to maintain or increase their relevancy in the top 10.
  • The Philly Kid: The Irishman has not faced many elite-level grapplers. Brady would finally offer that big test and it would be a fun booking of the two best young stars in the division.

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Ian Machado Garry vs. Geoff Neal review

ian machado garry next fight
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

While it wasn’t the most exciting bout on the UFC 298 card, Garry vs. Neal was still a hard-fought battle where both men fought very strategically in a points battle on the pay-per-view main card.

What happened: Garry fought smart and looked to avoid the power of the American as Neal used heavy pressure to try and land some big shots. To counter the approach the young star used excellent footwork and his range to keep his foe at bay and rack up points en route to another victory.

The fallout: The bout did not deliver many highlight-reel moments but it was still a very important instance of further development for Garry. Some fights need to be ugly and he did what was needed to get the W in February over a proven veteran fighter.

The road map: If the UFC is smart, they will book Ian Machado Garry vs. Colby Covington in a fight that could easily headline a fight night card or be the co-main event of a future PPV card.

ian garry next fight
Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

“The Future” has only had 13 fights during his career, however, in just seven short years he has become one of the fastest-rising stars in the UFC and is primed to be their next big star out of Ireland. Although he still has much to prove, many believe he could be the welterweight version of countryman Conor McGregor.

  • Ian Garry record: 14-0 (7 KOs, 1 Submission)
  • Ian Garry weight class: Welterweight
  • Ian Garry wife: The Irishman started dating Layla Anna-Lee early in 2021 and almost a year later the pair were married.
  • Like many fellow UK fighters, Garry built his reputation fighting in the legendary English promotion Cage Warriors. Before heading to the UFC he was their welterweight champion.
  • Many fight fans compare him to Conor McGregor not just because of their Irish roots, but because he has a similar uncanny self-belief that borders on elite-level cocky.
  • During his UFC tenure, he has scored impressive wins over established fighters like Neil Magny and Daniel Rodriguez.
  • Garry trains out of Kill Cliff gym in Florida where he works with world-class fighters like Gilbert Burns, Michael Chandler, and Vicente Luque.
  • His wife was at the center of a strange backlash from fellow fighters like Sean Strickland for her book, “How to Be a WAG.”

Ian Garry net worth

Money is often the greatest determiner of success in the fight game. While he is still early in his career, Ian Garry’s net worth in 2024 is estimated to be $1.5 million.

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