Ian Garry Says Training with Conor McGregor Will Boost His World Title Prospects
Rising UFC star Ian Garry’s bid to win the UFC welterweight title could be boosted by his blossoming friendship with compatriot Conor McGregor.
Garry recently trained with the Irishman in the run-up to his fight against Neil Magny at UFC 292, and the session undoubtedly paid dividends.
The 25-year-old dominated proceedings against the veteran fighter, securing a unanimous decision to justify his pre-fight odds of 1/5 on leading online sportsbooks.
Given the manner of his performance, punters will be clamouring to find the best odds on new betting sites when Garry is back in the Octagon. Garry called out Stephen Thompson after fight, and he would be an intriguing betting proposition against an opponent with a solid record in the UFC.
With rumours about McGregor returning to action against Michael Chandler on the same card, adding Garry to the line-up would boost global ratings.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Garry said that working with McGregor will help him achieve his goals in mixed martial arts.
“The biggest takeaway from meeting Conor is the fact that I have a friendship now that I believe is very powerful and very special in someone who I can look up to and learn from,” Garry said.
“Someone who’s done it all in the sport. Someone who’s had all the highs, all the lows. All the biggest things in the sport all have his name attached to it and he’s wanted to change the game more than anybody. To be able to have that friendship, it’s so powerful, it’s so special and I’m so grateful.”
Regardless of whether Garry is granted his wish to fight Thompson on the UFC 296 card in December, he already has his sights set on much bigger fish.
The rising star of the welterweight ranks told Helwani he is eager to go head-to-head with former interim champion Colby Covington next March.
UFC boss Dana White recently confirmed the promotion will stage an event in Dublin in 2024, sparking rumours that it could be tied in with the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Covington’s outspoken views on a wide range of topics have made him a hated figure in UFC circles, and Garry wants the opportunity to pummel him into submission. While the Irish star is keen to fight in front of his home fans, he says he would be happy to take on Covington in his own back yard.
“I would love to thump the mouth off him, Ariel,” Garry added. “Oh my god, at home? The only thing that annoys me about that is I’d have more fun doing that in Miami.
“In his backyard, walk into Miami, slap the mouth off him in front of all of his fans. I have no problem playing the heel. I have no problem going out there and being the bad guy for a weekend because at the end of the day, when I put him unconscious, I’m going to have a smile on my face.”
Garry may have to wait to get his shot at Covington, with the American fighter reportedly next in line to face Leon Edwards for the welterweight title.
