Ian Garry promised, and he delivered a stunning performance at UFC Kansas City.
The five-round slugfest is one both Ian Garry and Carlos Prates will not soon forget, as the two fighters battled to the death, with Garry almost succumbing in the end. The Irish welterweight came into the fight looking for a rebound from his previous skid against Shavkat Rakhmonov, but he remained his patient self as usual, keeping Prates at arm’s length and reserving his punches. Prates, on the other hand, came with more explosive energy and body-shattering shots, but Garry persevered through it.
Through the rounds, Garry scored more connecting blows, but Prates packed quite a kick. In the early rounds, “The Future” kept his rival at bay with some leg kicks and body shots. He soon found an opening in Prates’ defense and went for a takedown, where he landed a savage punch that opened a cut on Prates’ eye. Garry stayed on top of the fight with his long shots and kicks, while Prates struggled to get a hang of the fight. However, he soon recovered in the third round and began to land his signature devastating kicks.
The fight continued with Garry scoring more savage blows and takedowns while Prates struggled to keep up. An uppercut and a takedown had Prates disoriented for a bit, but he quickly recovered and found his opening in the final round as he landed a hard punch that rocked Garry before taking him to the canvas for ground and pound. Garry, however, managed to stay in the fight until the final horn.
“I was completely in control,” Garry said after his win. “I just wanted to be smart and safe and not do something stupid because that can happen in these types of fights. The guy’s a legend. I appreciate him. He’s been on a tear, but I told everyone what I was going to do — I was going to outclass him, and I believe I did that.”
When asked what his plans for his next fight were, he responded:
“This is what’s next for me,” Garry shouted. “21 days’ notice against Shavkat [Rakhmonov]. 25 days’ notice against this man tonight. He’s a beast. Well, in two weeks’ time, I’m flying to Canada. I’m the official backup for the world title fight, and I’m next in line for that world title!”
Prates, the former undefeated contender, on the other hand, accepted his defeat with dignity and plans to go back to the drawing board to make some adjustments for his next fight.
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t end the fight, and that wasn’t enough.
Sorry family, I’ll come back stronger!”
