Ian Machado Garry Survives Late Scare to Defeat Carlos Prates in UFC Kansas City Thriller
The welterweight division just got a whole lot more interesting, folks! Last night in Kansas City, “The Future” Ian Machado Garry took another significant step toward championship contention, but not without some serious drama along the way.
In what was easily the most compelling main event in recent memory, Garry outpointed the dangerous Carlos Prates in a five-round battle that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final horn. This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement that the Irish contender belongs among the 170-pound elite.
Tactical Brilliance Meets Late-Fight Drama
For nearly four rounds, Garry put on a striking clinic. Using his considerable height and reach advantage, the Irishman kept Prates at bay with a diverse arsenal of kicks and a crisp, accurate jab. His movement was fluid, his timing impeccable, and his game plan perfectly executed.
I’ve seen plenty of welterweight contests over the years, but rarely one where such a technical approach yielded such dominant results against a dangerous opponent. Garry was making it look easy… until it wasn’t.
Late in the fourth round, Prates—who entered the bout on a tear with nine straight wins—caught Garry with a thunderous overhand right that momentarily buckled the Irishman’s knees. The Brazilian immediately pounced, searching for the finish in what could have been a dramatic comeback for the ages.
“That moment really tested me,” Garry would later say in his post-fight interview. “Champions aren’t defined by never facing adversity—they’re defined by how they respond when things get tough.”
Championship Mettle on Display
What happened next showed why many believe Garry could be holding UFC gold in the not-too-distant future. Rather than panicking, he clinched, recovered, and even managed to land meaningful strikes of his own before the round ended.
The fifth round saw Garry return to his tactical approach, neutralizing Prates’ desperate attempts to find another fight-changing moment. When the final horn sounded, there was little doubt about the outcome. The judges’ scorecards (49-46, 48-47, 49-46) merely confirmed what most observers already knew—Ian Machado Garry had passed another significant test.
What This Win Means for Garry’s Title Trajectory
With this victory, Garry improves to 14-0 in his professional career and 7-0 in the UFC. More importantly, he answered the persistent questions about his ability to handle adversity against elite competition.
The welterweight division is stacked with killers, but Garry’s combination of technical striking, fight IQ, and now proven resilience makes him a genuine threat to anyone in the top 5. At just 26 years old, time is very much on his side.
| Fighter | Previous Rank | Projected Rank | UFC Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Machado Garry | #8 | #6-7 | 7-0 |
| Carlos Prates | #11 | #10-12 | 2-1 |
What’s Next for “The Future”?
In his post-fight interview, Garry didn’t shy away from calling his shots.
“I want the toughest fights available. Shavkat Rakhmonov, Belal Muhammad, whoever has the belt after those two fight—I’m coming for all of them,” Garry declared with his trademark confidence.
While a title shot might still require another victory, last night’s performance certainly moves him closer to that goal. A matchup against either Gilbert Burns or Geoff Neal would make perfect sense as a title eliminator.
Fan Reactions: Mixed Respect and Criticism
Garry remains one of the most polarizing figures in the UFC. His confident persona and occasional trash talk have made him a fighter fans either love or love to hate. But even his harshest critics must acknowledge the skills he displayed in Kansas City.
Social media erupted during the late-fight drama, with many wondering if we were about to witness another shocking upset. Instead, Garry showed championship mettle in weathering the storm.
“That moment when Prates rocked him and Garry stayed composed… that’s when I became a believer,” one fan tweeted minutes after the fight concluded.
The Big Picture: Welterweight Division in Flux
With Leon Edwards losing his title to Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov lurking as perhaps the most feared contender in the division, welterweight is experiencing a period of transition. Garry’s continued ascent adds another fascinating wrinkle to an already compelling weight class.
For years, the division was defined by Kamaru Usman’s dominance. Now, it feels wide open, with at least five fighters who could realistically wear gold within the next 18 months. Garry has now firmly placed himself in that conversation.
As UFC president Dana White often says, “This is the fight business, and fighting is what we do.” Last night, both Garry and Prates reminded us why this sport delivers drama like no other.
Final Thoughts: A Star Continues to Rise
Love him or hate him, Ian Machado Garry is here to stay. The comparisons to Conor McGregor may be premature and perhaps unfair, but there’s no denying that Garry possesses that rare combination of skill, marketability, and the ability to perform when the lights are brightest.
Last night wasn’t just a win—it was the kind of performance that transforms a prospect into a legitimate contender. The welterweight division has been put on notice: “The Future” has arrived, and he’s coming for everyone.
What did you think of Garry’s performance? Is he ready for a title shot, or does he need one more signature win? Let me know in the comments below!
Source: Al Jazeera