Ian Machado Garry has fully embraced Brazilian culture since relocating there to train with the renowned Chute Boxe team and feels the country reciprocates his affection.
The Irish welterweight even anticipates Brazil supporting him in his upcoming UFC Kansas City main event bout against Carlos Prates this Saturday. Garry contrasts this with Prates, who he claims relies on foreign habits, while Garry himself has fully embraced everything Brazil has offered him.
“Look, the guy smokes American cigarettes. Drinks Irish whiskey,” Garry commented on Prates during UFC Kansas City media day. “Meanwhile, I’m in Brazil having [acai and paçoquinha]. I’m more Brazilian than this guy. I’ve got his whole country wanting me to win.”
Garry made these remarks about his connection to Brazil after being questioned about Prates openly admitting to smoking cigarettes regularly, even around his fights.
Although these habits seemingly haven`t hindered Prates` impressive start in the UFC – marked by four knockouts in four fights – Garry stated he would never conduct himself in that manner.
“That’s his life choice,” Garry said. “That’s nothing for me to get involved in. He can do whatever he wants with his life, and we can all sit here and talk about it. At the end of the day on Saturday night, you step into that octagon with someone who’s a complete professional. I’m going to manhandle him in every way, shape, and form that I want. I will manipulate him, and there’s nothing he can do to stop it.”
Garry also addressed earlier comments where he called Prates a “quitter” after reviewing one of his fights from before his UFC signing.
This remark provoked a strong reaction from Prates, but Garry dismissed his opponent`s response. Garry maintained he was simply analyzing Prates` past performance, arguing the events he described were undeniable.
“I like to do my job and watch my opponents and watch their fights,” Garry stated. “I analyze. Look, his team is called the Fighting Nerds. They do the same thing. They’ve never seen a fight where I quit before. So when I saw that, he put his hand in the air, he waved at the ref and said ‘I’m done.’ I have never seen that in MMA.”
He continued, “That showed the true Carlos Prates as well. When the going gets tough, he quits, and on Saturday night, I’m going to put him in that position where he has to choose if he wants to quit.”
Despite the considerable attention Prates has received since joining the UFC, Garry believes he represents the toughest challenge the Brazilian has encountered to date.
In contrast, Garry noted that looking at his own resume shows he has faced a significantly higher level of competition in the UFC than Prates has thus far.
“I want to prove I’m the best against everyone, and I think Carlos is up there,” Garry stated. “When you look at my previous opponents, I don’t think he’s as awkward as [Michael ‘Venom’ Page]. I don’t think he’s as fast as MVP. I don’t think he’s as well-rounded as Shavkat [Rakhmonov]. And I think, obviously, because of the awkwardness – because I’m long and tall – he doesn’t have the stylistic irritation that Geoff Neal does. For me, this is a guy I can go out there and put on full display that I’m just levels and levels above him.”
While Prates has compiled an impressive highlight reel in his first four UFC fights, Garry indicated he won`t be impressed until he sees something truly exceptional.
Based on his assessment of Prates` skills, Garry clearly believes he hasn`t seen that exceptional quality yet.
“This guy is a one-trick pony,” Garry claimed. “He’s got a left hand, he’s got a left knee, and he’s got a left leg. They’re all on one side. I’ve got everything I need. I can beat him everywhere for every second of this fight, and that’s what I’m doing Saturday night.”
