Ian Machado Garry delivered a dominant performance against Carlos Prates at UFC Kansas City, answering any doubts UFC President Dana White had about the rising welterweight star.
Facing a dangerous and relentless opponent in Carlos Prates, Garry showcased a complete skill set at the T-Mobile Center.
Ian Machado Garry Proves Himself Under Pressure in Kansas City
The Irish welterweight controlled the pace of the fight early, impressively becoming the first man to take Prates down inside the UFC octagon. Through three and a half rounds, Garry looked a step ahead, landing clean strikes and neutralizing Prates’ offense with sharp footwork and clinch work.
Despite a strong final-round surge from Prates, Garry maintained composure to secure a unanimous decision victory with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46.
Following the fight, UFC President Dana White was clear in his praise for Garry’s performance.
“He definitely gets in there and controls everything. The pace, what he wants to do, when he wants to do it,” White said during the post-fight press conference. “Even against a guy, the question was tonight, would Prates go in there and put unbelievable pressure on him, stay in his face? Then we were wondering, would Ian take him down, hold him down? So those were all the questions we had, too, were answered.”
White specifically pointed out that Prates, a seasoned and dangerous striker, had brought genuine pressure, yet Garry dictated the fight’s terms without reverting to an overly conservative game plan. The UFC boss also confirmed Garry’s claim that he would serve as the backup fighter at UFC 315, noting the official status of the Irishman’s role in the welterweight title picture.
Dana White has rave reviews of Ian Machado Garry after #UFCKansasCity and confirms his title fight backup role in two weeks at #UFC315.
(via @UFC) pic.twitter.com/HrEOewM88x
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 27, 2025
Saturday’s win improved Garry’s professional record to 16-1, with his only defeat coming against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 — a short-notice loss that did little to tarnish his standing in the division.
Ian Machado Garry Eyes Title Shot and Future Aspirations
In the aftermath of his win, Ian Machado Garry wasted no time outlining his next steps. Posting a message to fans on Instagram, Garry revealed he would fly to Canada to be on standby for the Muhammad vs. Maddalena clash at UFC 315 on May 10.
“We just did it again,” Garry said. “25 days’ notice against one of the most dangerous guys in the division. And guess what? Next week, I’m flying to Canada. I’m gonna be back-up for that world title fight, and if anybody slips up, you best believe there is a world title coming back home to Dublin, Ireland and Brazil, baby! I love you, thank you for your love and your support. Let’s do this one more time. I am the baddest man in the world and there is no one stopping me from reaching my dreams. Love you all.”
Although Sean Brady holds a strong position in the rankings, Garry’s momentum and the UFC’s backing appear to have given him the inside track toward a potential title opportunity. With Rakhmonov recovering from injury and the welterweight division in flux, Garry’s path to gold could be opening sooner than expected.
Now, all eyes turn to UFC 315. Should anything happen to Muhammad or Maddalena, Ian Machado Garry will be ready to seize the moment he has long envisioned.
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