Ian Garry, self-proclaimed savior of Irish mixed martial arts, paid serious homage to his inspiration, Conor McGregor, in his post-fight interview.
The young Irishman, aged only 23, made his UFC debut at Madison Square Garden for UFC 268. His record, 8-0, with six knockout wins to his name, echoed Conor McGregor when he first appeared in the UFC.
The Next Conor McGregor? Ian Garry on his UFC Debut: “The Irish are back, baby!”
Even Garry’s stunner of a first-round knockout win over his opponent Jordan Williams was reminiscent of the best of Conor McGregor’s early rise to the top. With a powerful, mobile striking style built around fight IQ and counter-punching, Garry paid homage to Conor McGregor not only with his words but with his fighting ability.
Garry declared that the Irish are back in his post-fight interview. “For the first time in my life, I felt a little bit of nerves, a little bit weird. 23, and I’m making my UFC debut at MSG. It doesn’t get bigger than this. We just shocked the world. The Irish are back, baby!
Of course it did. It’s the biggest stage on the planet for a fighter. I’m fighting in the most historical venue in the world. McGregor, Ali, Mayweather, Pacquiao – everybody has fought here. And now, Ian Garry has fought here!”
Conor McGregor quickly replied via Twitter. “You little f*ckin daisy Ian! The step back, back paw an all ahahahaja just absolutely incredible!”
McGregor later uploaded a video lauding Garry for his accomplishments, discussing their shared penchant for single-punch knockouts. McGregor explained his counter-punching style in detail, a rare display of love of the game from the former-two division champ who seems to prefer
“Fighting for the KO is so easy when you simplify it: end em all in one shot. F**k stepping back and eating the little stray shots. How does a combination start? It starts with one single shot.
So I don’t give a f**k what the combination is. If you start the combination with your jab, I’m mincing you as soon as you throw that jab. You start that combination with a backhand, I’m coming over the top of your backhand. You start the combination with a kick, I’m mincing you through the kick.
I don’t care what the second or third or fourth shot is. You’re dead after one shot with me! And that’s the way we do it, yeah? Mince them after one shot. Get ‘em out in seconds. We’re not paid by the hour in that bleeding thing.”
Do you think Ian Garry is the vanguard of an Irish MMA takeover? Is he the next McGregor for real? Let us know in the comments.
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