After several disputes and back-and-forth with the UFC regarding a replacement for Shavkat Rakhmonov, Ian Machado Garry has finally secured his first main event fight against Carlos Prates.
The UFC announced that Garry will face Prates as a replacement for the light heavyweight bout between Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr, which was removed from the card. Following the announcement, Garry took to social media to express his excitement and issue a warning to Prates ahead of their fight.
“I’m excited,” Garry said. “Why? The UFC goes, ‘Ah, we need someone. Who do we need? Who do we call?’ You call me. Why? Because I’m a real fighter who wants to fight the best in the world. I’m going to show everybody how good I am. Carlos Prates is awesome, but this is my world. I love to fight. There’s nothing I love more in this world than fighting.
“Kansas City, let’s go. Ireland, get your tickets, get your flights. Brazil, get your tickets, get your flights.”
Garry is currently ranked No. 6 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings. Prates, though unranked, has generated enormous buzz following an incredible UFC debut campaign in 2024, during which he went 4-0 with four knockouts—each earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
