The octagon returns to New York City this weekend, with the stacked UFC 268. The main event sees a rematch between the two best welterweights in the world: the champion Kamaru Usman will fight Colby Covington for the second time. Rose Namajunas, fresh off knocking out Weili Zhang in April to win the strawweight title, will battle Zhang once again in the co-main event. Even with a stacked card, there are five newcomers on the show. Cage Warriors welterweight champ Ian Garry signed to the UFC when he won the title in June. He’s fighting Contender Series veteran Jordan Williams (9-5). Williams is 0-2 in the UFC still looking for his first UFC victory.
Ian “The Future” Garry
Standing at 6’3″
Fighting at 170 lbs (welterweight)
23-years-old
Fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Florida, US but from Dublin, Ireland
Training out of Sanford MMA
A pro record of 7-0
4 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission
How will Garry fare in the UFC:
Garry has only faced adversity in his pro career once, for a split second. He was wobbled from a punch by Mateusz Figlak but recovered quickly and submitted him a minute later. That win looks real good in hindsight since Figlak has been doing really well lately. Garry meanwhile has looked fantastic, dominant, and progressed rapidly in his career. He’s as well-rounded and well-versed as they come. Garry has the capability of ending fights with his legs, hands, ground and pound, submissions, and can go five rounds. There isn’t much more you can ask from someone with only seven pro fights, 23-years-old, and fighting for just five years. Guys in the UFC who have more experience don’t have the veteran savvy that Garry does.
Garry has a blended attack of striking and grappling but the fight always starts on the feet. Garry does a great job fighting at his preferred range keeping his opponent at the end of his punches. He keeps his chin a little high but his lengthy build and his light lateral movement play to his abilities. Garry has a textbook jab doubling up and sometimes tripling up when he lets it go. It sets up when he wants to sit down on his cross and the one-two. Kicking the lower calf you will see a lot from the young man. He’s made guys switch stances from the power he throws and has taken legs out from underneath them. He has thrown the leg kick so much he’s left himself open to being countered so that’s something to watch for. Once he starts to let loose Garry’s kicks and punches blend together effortlessly. He can practically throw a left punch and a left head kick at the same time. His punches set up that head kick beautifully. You saw it against George McManus and Rostem Akman. There should be no to little concern in the stand-up of Garry.
Garry has a really good ground game as well. To get there it’s him getting the takedowns or defending takedowns and winding up on top. At least as a pro Garry has had perfect takedown defense. Never been taken down and against deep takedown attempts too. Winning scrambles and dominating top position is what Garry has down. Although he only has one submission win Garry will threaten submissions especially d’arce chokes and front chokes in general. More notably, he will transition to dominant positions and unload with ground and pound.
Garry checks all the boxes. He has a savage finishing ability and is really well-conditioned if needed. Nicknamed “The Future,” it is most definitely fitting. One day this young man will be ranked in the top 15. If the book is as good as the first few chapters, Garry will be a champion one day.
Striking: A
Kickboxing: A
Clinch: B
Wrestling: B
Grappling: B+
Striking Defense: B+
Takedown Defense: A+
Cardio: A
Biggest Strength: Well-rounded
Biggest Weakness: Hands low
How he matches up against Williams:
Williams is 0-2 in the UFC with losses to Mickey Gall and Nassourdine Imavov. Despite some promise coming into the UFC and an inspiring story, the expectations are lower than ever. What Williams has more than most is his toughness. Unfortunately, his gas tank doesn’t match. Williams’s only bet is if he can knock out Garry. Hard to imagine that happening. Garry is more well-rounded with a much better tank. He’s better everywhere so I’m very confident in Garry.
