Ian Machado Garry wants to show the MMA world two things: He’s levels above Carlos Prates, and he’s ready to fight for the UFC welterweight title.
Machado Garry (15-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) returns to the cage this Saturday in a key welterweight matchup against streaking contender Prates (21-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in the main event of UFC on ESPN 66 (ESPN2, ESPN+). The card takes place at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo.
Although both are in the UFC official rankings and have shown plenty of promise, Machado Garry sees himself in a different league than Prates.
“I don’t think he’s as awkward as MVP (Michael Page),” Machado Garry said at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 66 media day. “I don’t think he’s as fast as MVP. I don’t think he’s as well-rounded as Shavkat (Rakhmonov), and obviously the awkwardness because I’m long and tall, he doesn’t have the stylistic irritation that Geof Neal does.
“So for me, this is a guy that I can go out there and put on full display that I’m levels, levels above him, and I’m excited to do it.”
Machado Garry is looking to bounce back from his first professional defeat, as he came up short in a unanimous decision against Shavkat Rakhmonov last December. Prior to the defeat, Machado Garry was 15-0 as a professional, with eight of those wins coming under the UFC umbrella.
Despite coming off a loss, Machado Garry thinks a win over Prates will get him a shot at the belt – which will be disputed between champion Belal Muhammad and challenger Jack Della Madalena at UFC 315 on May 10.
“When I win on Saturday night and I put on a show against Carlos Prates and finish him, there’s no other option, I am next,” Machado Garry said. “You take these fights on short notice, you show up and save these cards, that means I’m next. If anyone has a problem, guess what? I love to fight. When I win that belt, you come see me in that octagon.”
