Ian Garry was on a glorious, undefeated 15-win run in MMA since 2019, but everything changed when Shavkat Rakhmonov attacked. The Irishman suffered his first-ever defeat to undefeated 19-0 Rakhmonov in their welterweight contest at UFC 310. ‘Nomad’ won the fight via unanimous decision with the advantage due to his masterclass grappling. This defeat ended the 27-year-old’s incredible winning streak, while the Kazakh fighter gained another win.

However, kudos to Garry for taking the fight on short notice after Belal Muhammad withdrew from the clash due to injury. Meanwhile, after losing his previous fight, the welterweight star is coming back to clash against Carlos Prates at UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Pirates (also known as UFC on ESPN 66). Before getting inside the Octagon on April 26, 2025, the Irishman sat down with Ariel Helwani for a quick chat about his upcoming fight and mindset regarding the same.

Helwani brought up how Garry was upset about not getting the title shot when Rakhmonov withdrew from a fight against Muhammad, and Jack Della Maddalena was chosen by UFC instead. The Aussie was called in to replace the injured Rakhmonov to fight UFC welterweight champion Muhammad on 10 May. “When they told me this news, I was livid. Still am to this day,” Garry posted on Instagram.

Garry spoke about the same, and it seems like he is still salty about it. After that, Helwani discussed his mindset before going into this fight. Helwani asked him what he was fighting for. The Irishman seemed to be fired up and said, “I kind of wanted to get it and show you, but I framed it in my bedroom, me on Shavkat’s back in the 5th round. So that every day when I get out of bed, I see that and it burns my soul.” Helwani replied, “Why did you do that?” The 15-1-0 welterweight star said, “So that every day I get up, I make sure that I grow, I get better, and I evolve, and I become the best version of me I possibly can show myself and everyone else supports me and wants to see me do well. And everyone who hates me and wants to see me lose, I am the best in the world.”

Garry had shifted to a body triangle and locked that in Round 5 while Rakhmonov was fighting the hands. The Irishman then became fierce and attacked with a rear-naked choke. However, the Kazakh star did not give in and a scramble ensued. Then the moment came, which is framed in Garry’s mind and in his room.

Having a blemish on his undefeated record and then not getting the title shot had become a chip on Garry’s shoulder. It was palpable in this interview, and ‘The Future’ was ready to show everyone that he was “even more dangerous now.” He was pretty agitated about not getting the title fight and said the same on multiple occasions.

Ian Garry is coming for blood

As soon as he lost his fight against Rakhmonov, he witnessed another setback when the UFC selected Della Maddalena and not him as the replacement for Belal Muhammad. “I had a No. 1 contender’s fight with a guy I lost 3-2 to. Now that guy needs to get a knee reconstruction, so instead, they’re giving it to Jack, who hasn’t fought in over a year. But that’s alright; I’ll be back soon,” Garry expressed on Instagram. 

He finally realized that no matter how many times he won and showed his prowess, even one single loss would have consequences. Sadly, people forget the 10 good things you do and remember the 1 mistake you made, but hey that’s life. Now Garry needs to earn his way back, and he is not sitting quietly.

Interestingly, Garry’s recent fight against Prates was a boon in disguise. Carlos Prates was going to fight Geoff Neal in April. However, Neal had to withdraw from UFC 314 due to injury, and Prates did not have an opponent. Meanwhile, Khalil Rountree Jr’s fight with Jamahal Hill also fell through after Hill had an injury. Thankfully, the empty spot was filled by Garry vs Prates and now the Irishman has another chance to prove his worth. Do you think the fire within him will make him win this time? Share your thoughts in the comments below.