IAN GARRY claims he is 'fine' being compared with the greatest MMA fighter of all-time - but Ireland's newest UFC prospect wants to prove to the world that he's more than just the 'next Conor McGregor.
On Sunday morning, the Emerald Isle's brightest prospect will make a eagerly-awaited UFC debut on stacked cards at Madison Square Garden.
Ian Garry's eagerly-awaited UFC debut is just days away
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Garry hails from Dublin, and is a confident striker who has been compared to The Notorious. He holds The Notorious in the highest regard.
SunSport spoke with The Future: "I completely understand where people are coming form in the sense that, ‘Oh, Conor McGregor is the next Conor.’
"But that's because I'm from Dublin in Ireland. That's it.
"That is not something you can say about every American who walks in. You know what I'm referring to? Who fights? It's, "Oh, he wants to be the next big thing."
"There has been only one Conor, and he's the UFC's most popular fighter, brought attention to [the sport], and made money."
Conor has had the greatest impact on the UFC, it's no secret. Conor has brought the most people to the UFC, and he's also done the most shows.
"I believe Conor is responsible for four of the top five pay-per-views. He is insane. He did unbelievable things.
Everyone is saying, "Oh, they want to find the next Conor." They want to find the next Conor. It's fine with me.
"But don’t get me wrong, my plan is set and I have my goals. I know what's ahead.
"But, if people want me to be compared to someone who has had a greatest effect on the sport and made the most positive change in terms of bringing attention to it, they can do so.
"And they don't mind me being the poster boy, and they're looking to someone to wear a mantle like that."
Garry is certain that he will reach the pinnacle in mixed martial arts, just like McGregor in McGregor's legendary featherweight run.
He stated, "I know the level that I will reach. He stated, "I know the level I'm going to reach. So I want go out and put on a show every time.
"Because some people may have seen me fight previously, maybe they haven’t seen me fight yet."
"But I want go out there to give 110 percent every time so that I don't disappoint myself or people who paid [to] see me].
Garry believed he would make it to the promised land mixed martial arts long before he quit school to pursue his dream to fight in the UFC.
However, his mother didn't share his confidence and wrote a letter in which she doubted his lofty ambitions.
The excitement in the Garry family, including mother, is palpable before Sunday morning.
Sanford MMA's new-boy stated that they knew what I was going do and where I was going once I set my mind to it.
"Once you put your mind to it, it will happen. It's something I will do. This is how I am. They have stood behind me and been there for every fight since.
He said, "They are super excited. They are clearly furious that they cannot be here in New York.
Garry knew he had a shot at the big-time long before he received Cage Warriors gold. But even Garry was shocked that the UFC call came so quickly, just hours after Jake Grant beat Garry to take the 170lb belt.
He said, "I didn’t think it would take that long. After winning a world title, the next day I wake up in a wheelchair at the airport because my knees hurt.
"And now, a UFC Contract is being sent to me. It was overwhelming.
Garry believes that he belongs in the big league, despite the shock at his quick call-up.
He stated, "It feels right. It feels right. It feels right, it feels right. However, I have also worked my tail off to get there.
"It has taken years of sacrifice, hard work and dedication to reach this point.
"To be part of the UFC's one percent who sign up and fights at Madison Square Garden.
"I am so grateful to UFC for putting me on this card. They see my talent, see my skills, and say, 'Right. This kid can be something special.' And they put me on the card because of that.
"But it's also a matter of me doing things right. My entire career is clearly right if they put me on this card. "I'm so excited for this weekend.
Garry is still a long way off a successful debut at The World's Most Famous Arena. Dana White's Contender Series alum Jordan Williams will be there to help him.
Williams' job may be at risk, but Garry doesn’t expect him to go all out for the Garden.
He stated that the American's recent losing streak might have made him more conservative.
"If this was your last fight in the UFC you would expect someone to give everything to ensure they get a knockout.
"But that's also the way you get knocked down. Swinging big shots and trying to knock someone out, that's how you get knocked out. Telegraphing everything. This is how you get knocked down.
"If I had it in me, and I was in his place, I'd want to win the rounds.
"I would like to take down someone, control them, get to the top [position], win round and guarantee a victory and get back in the win column.
"But I won't have to be there because I'm going out there and beating everyone up and doing it with ease."
Mixed Martial Arts World, especially the European sphere, will be watching the UFC 268 preliminary to see if Garry can bring a new era to Irish MMA in the most famous arena in combat sports.
He plans to do it the best way he knows how, emphatically.
He said, "It's going to be a knockout." A nice knockout. It'll probably come in round two. It's going to be a major statement."
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