Ian Machado Garry sets record straight on relationship with his wife, Layla Machado Garry, and her ex-husband

Ian Machado GarryUFC welterweight star Ian Machado Garry cleared the air on some of the rumors surrounding his relationship with his…

Ian Machado Garry

UFC welterweight star Ian Machado Garry cleared the air on some of the rumors surrounding his relationship with his wife — Layla Machado Garry — and why he chose to take her name as opposed to the more traditional approach.

Garry’s marriage has come under fire in recent months after Sean Strickland slammed Garry, believing that ‘The Future’ had willingly taken the name of his wife’s ex-husband. He even went so far as to suggest that she was still involved with her ex romantically — labeling Garry a “cuck” in the process.

The fact is, Machado is his wife’s maiden name from her mother’s side of the family and there is a very good reason why Garry decided to incorporate the name into his own.

“The truth is I only did it because I wanted my son and my stepson to really feel connected,” Garry said in an interview with CBS Sports. “I didn’t want them going through life with two separate surnames. I feel like there is a little bit of a disconnect. If you guys want to be brothers, I want to make sure you guys have that same connection.”

Another point of attack for Strickland was Garry’s unusually close relationship with his wife’s ex-husband — Richard Cullen — whom the couple regularly travels with. Cullen is a renowned sports nutritionist and was brought into Ian Garry’s camp by Layla Machado Garry in 2021.

“He’s an elite performance nutritionist and he’s really f*cking good at what he does,” Garry said. “To the point which we’ve done every single weight cut for the UFC and they’ve been easier every single time,” Garry said. “We’ve worked phenomenally together and I’m very proud of the work we’ve done.

“He’s also the father of my wife’s son. I never want to be a wedge between a father and a son. I never want that on my conscience. I know that we’re going on this adventure to travel the world. ‘Hey dude, want to travel the world, be my nutritionist and we can all do this together? You can come and see your son whenever you want.’ The two of them went to Disney this morning.”

Ian Machado Garry has no regrets over the way he has approached his opponents or his career

As an up-and-comer still trying to establish himself as a viable contender, Ian Garry’s brash and cocky style of selling fights will continue to invite some undesirable attention. Despite that, ‘The Future’ wouldn’t change anything about the way he has approached his opponents or his mixed martial arts career as a whole.

“I’m No. 10 in the world. I haven’t even touched the potential of where I know I’m going to get there. I haven’t touched the limelight of what I know is possible for my career. Yet I’m the most talked about fighter on this fight card. I was the most talked about fighter on the last fight card.

“I’m doing everything right in my way. There is nothing that went wrong other than people flipping the truth into lies and bullshit and running with it. The whole world right now is playing a game of Chinese whispers where they don’t actually know the f*cking truth.”

Ian Machado Garry returns to the Octagon this Saturday night, February 17 at UFC 298. He faces No. 8 ranked contender Geoff Neal as part of the event’s main card inside Anaheim’s Honda Center. Machado Garry enters the bout with a perfect record of 13-0 with six wins under the UFC banner.

Ian Garry branded ‘Championship level’ fighter ahead of UFC 298 return: ‘At least with the right matchups’

Ian Garry branded championship level fighter ahead of UFC 298 with the right matchupsIan Garry has been branded a “championship level” fighter ahead of his return at UFC 298 this weekend in…

Ian Garry branded championship level fighter ahead of UFC 298 with the right matchups

Ian Garry has been branded a “championship level” fighter ahead of his return at UFC 298 this weekend in Anaheim, according to veteran contender, Matt Brown – who claims the Dubliner can land spoils at welterweight, as long as he receives the right stylistic matchup.

Garry, the current number ten ranked contender, makes his return to the Octagon this weekend at UFC 298, taking on rival, Geoff Neal in a long-anticipated grudge pairing of the two kickboxing talents.

And taking his undefeated talents to Brazil for this training camp, Dublin striker, Garry trained alongside former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira at the Sao Paulo finisher’s Chute Boxe base in South America.

Ian Garry heaped with praise ahead of UFC 298

Attempting to work through Neal this weekend en route to another bad-blooded affair with former interim champion, Colby Covington – whom he intends to “retire” later this year, Garry, 26, has what it takes to strike divisional gold, according to Brown.

“Ian Garry is championship f*cking level material,” Matt Brown told MMA Fighting. “I don’t give a f*ck about all the sideshow sh*t. That dude is championship level, at least with the right matchups with the striking guys.”

“I don’t know about his wrestling yet,” Brown explained. “I haven’t seen him (Ian Garry) on his back. I haven’t watched a lot of his fights to be honest, but the ones that I have watched, they were striking battles, the dude looks f*cking tremendous and he looks championship level.” 

Appearing front and center during last night’s pre-fight press conference, Garry was the subject of multiple boos and jeers from the Californian crowd, with former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa shoving him down the stairs off stage after the Portmarnock native threw up two middle finger gestures to fans. 

Who wins at UFC 298 this weekend: Geoff Neal or Ian Garry?

Video – Paulo Costa pushes Ian Garry off stage after flipping off fans during UFC 298 press conference

Paulo Costa pushes Ian Garry off stage during UFC 298 press conference flip off fansFormer has emerged overnight of former middleweight championship challenger, Paulo Costa pushing unbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry from the…

Paulo Costa pushes Ian Garry off stage during UFC 298 press conference flip off fans

Former has emerged overnight of former middleweight championship challenger, Paulo Costa pushing unbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry from the steps of the ceremonial stage following the pre-fight press conference ahead of UFC 298 – after the Dubliner flipped off fans who booed and jeered him.

Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, is slated to make his first outing inside the Octagon since 2022, booking a rescheduled fight with former undisputed champion, Robert Whittaker.

As for Garry, the Portmarnock native, who received a chorus of boos and jeers from the fans in Anaheim during last night’s ceremonial pre-fight press conference, himself draws a rebooked fight with Texan kickboxing talent, Geoff Neal in his main card comeback.

And urged fans who mocked him to continue doing so come Saturday night, Garry, the current number ten ranked contender claimed he would change their opinion of him with his performance against Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Neal.

With his partner and manager, Layla Anna-Lee attending the press conference midway through the festivities, Ian Garry’s wife was booed also – with the Dubliner electing to flip off fans with two middle finger gestures before his face-off with Neal.

Paulo Costa shoves Ian Garry off stage during presser

Making his way down the steps to exit stage left, Garry, a former undisputed Cage Warriors welterweight champion, was shoved down the steps further by Costa – who appeared tired of the outspoken contender’s bravado.

Laying out his plans to fight former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington in his next bout – Garry vowed to “retire” the Clovis native, before then questioning that with a victory over Neal, would his stardom prevent him from making a return to his native Ireland to headline a card in the capital for the UFC. 

Do you think Ian Garry remains unbeaten this weekend after UFC 298?

UFC 298’s Ian Garry has no time for online haters and keyboard warriors: ‘I’m gonna live my life and do the way I want’

Ian GarryDespite all the hateful messages he receives online, Ian Garry has yet to meet a single fight fan in…

Ian Garry

Despite all the hateful messages he receives online, Ian Garry has yet to meet a single fight fan in person who had anything negative to say about him.

On Saturday night, February 17, ‘The Future’ will return to the Octagon for a rescheduled showdown with fellow top-10 welterweight contender Geoff Neal after their first meeting at UFC 292 in August fell through. Leading up to their previously scheduled scrap, Garry drew the ire of fans and fighters alike after he was spotted sporting and selling t-shirts with Neal’s mugshot stemming from a 2021 arrest screen printed on the front.

Things seemed to snowball from there, particularly after former middleweight champion Sean Strickland targeted Garry’s 40-year-old wife — Layla Anna-Lee — after discovering that she had once written a book for older women hoping to date young athletes and celebrities. Anna-Lee is 14 years older than Garry. That revelation prompted Strickland to call in a “predator” and a “succubus” in a series of scathing rants.

Fighters including Leon Edwards, Colby Covington, and even Michael Chandler continued to pour it on Garry, revealing the constant struggles of trying to work alongside the up-and-comer in the gym.

A quick social media search and a scan of recent headlines will immediately give you the impression that Ian Garry is one of the most hated men in all of MMA. But speaking with ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, ‘The Future’ revealed that the love and support he’s received from fight fans around the world has never been stronger.

“On Instagram and all of this stuff in the comments on Twitter,” Garry said. “All the negativity and all the hate, it’s only online. I’ve not met a single fan in person that has said one thing of hate. Not one. I’ve gone to Brazil. Different continents. I’ve gone to Europe. I’ve gone to America. South America. I’ve been recognized more than ever. I’ve been given the warmest welcomes more than ever. I can’t go down the street in the countryside in England in the middle of nowhere without someone going, ‘Holy sh*t!’

“We drove down California, there’s people here jumping out of cars trying to get a photo with me. This is nuts! I’m getting more recognized and more love in person than I ever have. It’s only online and it’s a small minority of people that hate and hate with such aggression. And the truth is, they’re all the Sean Strickland fans. They’re all the people that, truth is, they have a f*ck ton of trauma and nowhere else to spread it except online behind a laptop because they hate their life and they hate their past.

“I have no time for that. I love my life. I love what I’m surrounded by. I love the people I get to meet every day and that’s it. That’s what’s important to me. I’m gonna live my life and do the way I want to and have fun.”

Ian Garry vows to ‘Retire’ Colby Covington in heated fight after UFC 298 return: ‘I’m gonna get rid of the clown’

Ian Garry vows to retire Colby Covington after UFC 298 I'm gonna get rid of the clownUnbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has vowed to send former interim champion, Colby Covington into retirement in his next…

Ian Garry vows to retire Colby Covington after UFC 298 I'm gonna get rid of the clown

Unbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has vowed to send former interim champion, Colby Covington into retirement in his next outing ahead of his return at UFC 298 this weekend against Geoff Neal, vowing to send the brash veteran packing from the promotion once and for all.

Garry, the current number ten ranked welterweight challenger, is set to make his return to the Octagon this weekend at UFC 298, booking a rescheduled pairing with Texan striker, Neal in a main card showdown in Anaheim.

Sidelined since August of last year, Portmarnock native, Garry most recently landed a one-sided unanimous decision win over division veteran, Neil Magny in a heated grudge fight at UFC 292 in Massachusetts.

Ian Garry wants to retire Colby Covington after UFC 298

And plotting his fighting future after his clash with Neal this weekend in California, Garry vowed to “thump the mouth off of” former undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland in the future – amid their ongoing rivalry, before claiming he would retire Covington next.

“I want to beat Geoff Neal in spectacular fashion this weekend, then I’m going to fight Colby Covington, and I’m going to retire him,” Ian Garry told assembled media during his availability ahead of UFC 298. “And I’m going to rid the clown from the UFC. Then I’ll take someone three, two or one in the world. I’ll beat them, and I’ll earn my title shot next year.”

“I think [Covington] has no other choice,” Ian Garry explained. “When I beat Geoff Neal on Saturday, there’s only one choice, and it’s what I say.” 

Sidelined since last December, Clovis native, Covington headlined UFC 296, suffering a one-sided unanimous decision loss to arch-rival, Leon Edwards in the pair’s undisputed welterweight championship showdown. 

Do you want to see Ian Garry fight Colby Covington after UFC 298?

Ian Garry remains decent betting favorite to beat Geoff Neal in UFC 298 grudge fight in Anaheim

Ian Garry betting favorite to beat Geoff Neal at UFC 298 in AnaheimUnbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has opened and still remains a distinct betting favorite to beat his incoming rival,…

Ian Garry betting favorite to beat Geoff Neal at UFC 298 in Anaheim

Unbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has opened and still remains a distinct betting favorite to beat his incoming rival, Geoff Neal in their UFC 298 grudge fight this weekend, with the Dubliner drifting as a bigger favorite closer to the bout.

Garry, the current number ten ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since August of last year, most recently turning in a one-sided unanimous decision win over the division’s most-winningest fighter, Neil Magny in a judging shutout at UFC 292 in Boston.

As for Neal, the Texan has been sidelined himself since he featured at UFC 285 back in March, suffering an eventual third round standing rear-naked choke submission loss to the undefeated, Shavkat Rakhmonov in the pair’s main card showdown.

Ian Garry remains favorite to beat Geoff Neal at UFC 298

And initially opening as a betting favorite to beat Neal, Ian Garry is currently riding a -218 betting favorite over the former – who is a current +180 betting underdog – with Tipps.gg available to fans who are interested in betting on a host of cards this year, with the site also set to implement separate sections on MMA analytics, as well as their very own predictions ahead of events. 

Forced from a slated return to the Octagon at UFC 296 back in December, Portmarnock striker, Garry withdrew from a planned return against Kill Cliff FC training partner, Vicente Luque at the end-of-year card, as he suffered from pneumonia during fight week.

And quickly rebooked amid his battle with illness, the outspoken Garry, who remains steadfast that he will defeat Neal in their rescheduled pairing – makes his comeback at UFC 298 this weekend in Anaheim, California. 

Expecting to land a dominant win over the Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Neal, former Team KF trainee, Garry boldly claimed he would likely stop the striker with a body kick – and leave him resembling a dog defecating in the process of finishing him.

“What am I going to finish him (Geoff Neal) with?” Ian Garry said. “I am going to make him quit. He’ll choose when he’s done. I’d like to kick him to the body and have him do that – when the dog is sh*tting.”

“The dog looks at you like – when they’re pooing, for protection,” Ian Garry explained. “That’s what they do, right? [They] look at their owners when they’re pooing because that’s when they’re vulnerable for attack.”

Enjoying a roughshod run throughout the welterweight ranks since his Octagon debut back in 2022, Garry, a former Cage Warriors welterweight titleholder, has so-far enjoyed an impressive promotional-perfect run of six straight fights – notably taking out the likes of Song Kenan and Daniel Rodriguez with knockout victories, to go with his August win over Magny.

Making his debut under the Dana White-led banner back in 2018, the highly-touted Neal has himself turned in numerous high-profile triumphs during his UFC stint, including wins over the likes of Niko Price, Mike Perry, Santiago Ponzinibbio, the aforenoted, Luque, and the surging – expected next title challenger, Belal Muhammad – taking home a unanimous decision win over the Illinois native. 

Who wins at UFC 298 this weekend: Geoff Neal or Ian Garry?