Ian Machado Garry recently shared his thoughts on a potential UFC matchup against Kamaru Usman, confidently asserting that he could knock out the former welterweight champion. Garry commented on Usman’s recent win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta, expressing respect for the performance but disagreement with awarding Usman a title shot afterward.
Kamaru Usman secured a unanimous decision victory over Buckley earlier this month by showcasing his wrestling dominance, reestablishing himself in the welterweight division at 38 years old. Garry, speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, acknowledged Usman’s skill but criticized the notion that beating the seventh-ranked contender warranted an immediate championship opportunity.
”Massively surprised. I thought Buckley was going to absolutely stach [Usman]…To come in against a guy who had confidence and that explosivity that he [Buckley] fights with… I call him a runner. He wants to run through you. He’s zero fundamentals. But Usman just dominated that lead handball…But you and I both know what Usman’s gonna do. He’s going to take as much time as he possibly can to try and fight for a belt and jump the ladder and do all those things. I don’t believe you lose three fights in a row, beat number seven in the world and get a world title fight.”
— Ian Machado Garry, UFC Fighter
Garry then expressed his readiness to face Usman in the octagon, confidently claiming his skill set would overcome the former champion’s wrestling and cardio advantages. He insisted that Usman would not be able to outgrapple or outlast him and predicted a knockout victory in their potential bout.
”No problem. I’d fight anyone. I’d punch them out of [Usman]. He’s not gonna out wrestle me, he’s not gonna outgrab me, he’s not gonna out cardio me. There’s nothing that that man can do to faze me on my skill set. I’ll jab them out of him, I’ll knock them out, and that’s it.”
— Ian Machado Garry, UFC Fighter
Ian Machado Garry’s Plans for His Next UFC Opponent
Earlier this year, Garry made a strong case as a welterweight contender by defeating Carlos Prates via unanimous decision at UFC Kansas City. Following that win, he has been vocal about wanting to face top fighters such as Belal Muhammad or Sean Brady to continue advancing his career.
During his interview with Ariel Helwani, Garry confirmed his willingness to fight both Muhammad and Brady, with a preference towards Muhammad due to the latter’s recent close loss in a title fight.
”I have said yes officially to two guys. I have said yes to Belal [Muhammad] and I have said yes to Sean Brady. This week I’m trying to have a meeting with the UFC and organize everything, just get it finalized…I have a preference of leaning towards Belal for reasons that are very obvious, former champion, just lost the belt in a close fight.”
— Ian Machado Garry, UFC Fighter
Garry’s confidence and upcoming negotiations highlight his ambition to climb the welterweight rankings quickly. Should the UFC arrange a fight between Garry and Usman, it could become a significant event with high anticipation, given Garry’s bold claims and Usman’s established reputation.