Machado Garry had fought impressively in a short-notice decision loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov last December in a bout that saw the Irishman’s stock rise, despite him taking his first career defeat.
And in Kansas City, Missouri, Machado Garry took on another dangerous short-notice assignment as he faced, and defeated, surging Brazilian contender Carlos Prates in the main event at T-Mobile Center on Saturday night.
Machado Garry used his MMA fight IQ, and his complete skillset, to keep Prates on the back foot as he used his control of range to keep the “Fighting Nerds” contender out of harm’s way for much of the fight, while mixing in the occasional takedown attempt to keep the Brazilian guessing.
That approach saw Machado Garry look comfortable for long spells of the fight, but a late surge from Prates ensured he had to be on his game to secure the victory, with the judges scoring the fight 48-47, 48-47, 49-46.
When asked after the fight if Prates had hurt him during the final skirmishes of the fifth round, Machado Garry said, “Not hurt enough to know where I was. I was conscious of every moment. I know how dangerous that man is. I have nothing but respect for everything him and his team do.
“I said it to him after the fight – he’s Brazilian. Half of my soul is Brazilian. My name is Machado Gary. I want to see all of these Brazilians go to the top. And that man hits like a truck.
“But, to answer your question, I was completely in control. Just wanted to be smart and safe and not do something stupid, because that can happen in this, in this type 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.
“It was to stop him getting comfortable on the front foot. I call him a plotter. He’s all the way in it. And if you let him get comfortable, like he did against ‘The Leech’ and Magny, he’ll put your lights out.
“Trust me, I hit that man hard, and he just kept walking forward.”
Machado Garry then revealed his next move, as he explained that he’s been installed as the official backup fighter for the upcoming welterweight title fight at UFC 315 between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena in Monreal on May 10.
“My entire goal in this game is to prove that I’m one of the most game fighters that’s ever existed,” he declared.
“I’ve got the fighting Irish in my blood, in my cells, my history. To all the Irish out there, I represent you every single time.
“And this is what’s next for me. Twenty-one days’ notice against Shavkat, 25 days’ notice against this man tonight. 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.”
UFC Kansas City: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Ian Machado Garry def. Carlos Prates via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
- Zhang Mingyang def. Anthony Smith via TKO (elbows) – Round 1, 4:03
- David Onama def. Giga Chikadze via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Abus Magomedov def. Michel Pereira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Randy Brown def. Nicolas Dalby via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 1:39
- Ikram Aliskerov def. Andre Muniz via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:54
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Matt Schnell def. Jimmy Flick via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Evan Elder def. Gauge Young via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Chris Gutierrez def. John Castaneda via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Da’Mon Blackshear def. Alateng Heili via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Malcolm Wellmaker def. Cameron Saaiman via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 1:59
- Jaqueline Amorim def. Polyana Viana via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:49
- Timothy Cuamba def. Roberto Romero via TKO (flying knee and punches) – Round 2, 3:55
- Joselyne Edwards def. Chelsea Chandler via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:31
