Ian Machado Garry Record: 17-2-0

UFC rise

Garry announced himself at UFC 268 with a first-round counter-right knockout of Jordan Williams, then settled into a methodical climb. He outpointed Darian Weeks and Gabe Green in 2022 before his breakout 2023, in which he stopped veteran Kenan Song, blitzed Daniel Rodriguez with a first-round TKO, and outclassed division stalwart Neil Magny over three rounds. In 2024 he edged the dangerous Geoff Neal by split decision at UFC 298 and dominated striking standout Michael Page at UFC 303, pushing his unbeaten record to 15-0.

Title contention

The lone blemish came in December 2024 at UFC 310, where Garry dropped a five-round unanimous decision to the unbeaten Shavkat Rakhmonov — a competitive, high-level fight that handed him his first professional loss. He answered emphatically. In April 2025 he went the full five rounds to outpoint knockout artist Carlos Prates, then delivered the biggest win of his career in November 2025, taking a three-round unanimous decision over former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. At 17-1 and surging back into the title picture, Garry stands as one of the division's premier contenders.

Fighting style

Garry is a long-range striker who builds his game around distance, footwork and a sharp jab, using his height and 74-inch reach to pile up points and frustrate opponents. Nine of his 17 wins have come by decision and seven by knockout — a profile that reflects a fighter who can finish but more often wins through control and accuracy across a full 15 or 25 minutes. His confidence and ring IQ are genuine strengths, and his grappling has noticeably improved since relocating to Brazil. The Rakhmonov fight remains the benchmark question mark: against the absolute elite, his takedown defense and ability to hold the center were tested, and answering that level is the final step toward a title.

Career highlights

• Decision win over former champion Belal Muhammad — outpointed a 24-4 ex-welterweight king in 2025, the signature victory of his contender run.
• Cage Warriors welterweight champion turned UFC contender — built a 17-1 record while winning all but one of his Octagon appearances since 2021.
• Wins over Page, Magny, Rodriguez and Prates — a murderer's row of established welterweights cleared on his way up the rankings.