Ian Garry: Life, Career, and Rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev
Ian David Machado Garry (born 17 November 1997) is a rising star in the UFC’s welterweight division. Known as “The Future,” Garry has built a reputation for his crisp striking, confident outlook, and bold ambitions. But beyond his fights, his personal life — including his marriage, his son, and his surname — has fueled curiosity and controversy, particularly in the context of a brewing rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev.
Early Life and MMA Career
Born in Portmarnock, Ireland, Garry’s journey into martial arts began early. He took up boxing at the age of 10, and later added judo to his disciplines, eventually earning a black belt. Before long, Garry made a successful transition to mixed martial arts, turning professional in 2019.
Garry’s early career was shaped by his time in Cage Warriors, where he became the welterweight champion. His success in Cage Warriors paved the way for his move to the UFC, where he currently competes in the welterweight division (170 lb/77 kg).
As of April 2025, Garry was ranked among the top welterweights.
Ian Garry vs. Khamzat Chimaev: What’s the Story?
The Build-Up: Ambitions and Remarks
One of the most talked-about potential fights in MMA circles is Ian Garry vs. Khamzat Chimaev.
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Garry has openly stated that Chimaev would be his “dream opponent.” He has expressed confidence that he could beat him, saying that Chimaev hasn’t faced someone like him before.
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In a more detailed interview, Garry laid out his reasoning:
“What’s he gonna do? Take me down? Great — bring it on … He gets tired. I don’t.”
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He even envisioned the fight happening in his homeland:
“It would have to be in the 3Arena in Dublin … my dream opponent would be me versus Khamzat Chimaev … let me punch the mouth off him … I want that bad man.”
On the flip side, Chimaev hasn’t taken the remarks lightly. After Garry floated the idea of moving up to middleweight to face him, Chimaev fired back on social media:
“You’re too skinny … don’t go near the Wolf’s teeth, you’ll end up headless.”
Real-Life Tension: Backstage Altercation
Tensions escalated beyond verbal sparring in November 2025. At UFC Qatar, shortly after Garry secured a big win over Belal Muhammad, a scuffle broke out backstage:
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According to reports, Garry approached Arman Tsarukyan to congratulate him after his fight.
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As Garry turned to leave, he was suddenly shoved by Khamzat Chimaev, prompting security to intervene.
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In the post-fight press conference, Garry accused Chimaev of having “little d*ck energy” and called his behaviour childish.
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Garry added: “I’ll get him one day … They’re all gonna try and grab a hold of my legs … boring little … don’t get me started.”
The incident underscored that while a fight between them hasn’t yet materialized, the animosity is real.
Personal Life: Wife, Ex-Husband, and Son
Who Is Ian Garry’s Wife?
Ian Garry is married to Layla Anna-Lee, a well-known sports presenter and broadcaster. The two tied the knot in a Las Vegas chapel on 26 February 2022.
Layla, of Brazilian heritage, has had a rich career in media — having worked with major sports networks covering UFC, NBA, and global football events.
Why “Machado”? The Surname Question
One point of confusion (and sometimes controversy) around Garry is his middle name “Machado”. Why does an Irish fighter have a Portuguese/Latino surname?
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When Garry married Layla, he hyphenated her maiden name (Machado) into his own, becoming Ian Machado Garry.
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He has stated that the name change was not just symbolic of love, but also a deliberate effort to unify their family. They wanted their children (including Layla’s older son from a previous marriage) to share a common surname.
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Garry has expressed his pride in aligning with Layla’s Brazilian heritage through her name:
“Obviously, having the link to Brazil is amazing … I feel like there’s a little bit of a disconnect … I want to make sure … they have that same connection.”
So, Ian Garry is not Brazilian by birth — he is Irish — but he adopted the “Machado” to honor his wife’s roots and to foster family unity.
Children: Son and Blended Family
Ian and Layla have one child together:
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Their son, Leandro “Leo” Vegas Machado Garry, was born on 20 October 2022.
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Layla also has a son from her previous marriage to Richard Cullen, a nutritionist.
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Interestingly, Garry later hired Cullen (his wife’s ex-husband) as part of his fight camp nutrition team.
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The surname decision (Machado) helped tie together their blended family emotionally and legally.
Ian and Layla also share matching tattoos that celebrate their connection and family milestones.
Did Ian Garry Win Against Khamzat Chimaev?
No, Ian Garry has not fought Khamzat Chimaev in a sanctioned MMA bout yet. All the tension between them is speculative, rhetorical, or backstage — not in the octagon.
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Garry has repeatedly made clear that a fight with Chimaev would be his dream: he challenges the notion of Chimaev being an unbeatable boogeyman.
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But as of now, the two have not been booked to fight, and there’s no official result between them.
The “win” in the question is more about Garry’s bold claims and his self-belief rather than a real, concrete victory.
Is Ian Garry Brazilian?
Short answer: No — Ian Garry is Irish, born in Portmarnock, Ireland.
However, the “Machado” in his name (Ian David Machado Garry) comes from his wife’s Brazilian roots and her family name. So, while he is not Brazilian by nationality, the Machado name is a tribute to his wife’s heritage and reflects their family unity.
Analysis: Why This Rivalry Matters
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Marketable Match-Up: A fight between Garry and Chimaev holds huge promotional potential. Garry’s youth, swagger, and confidence combine with Chimaev’s ferocity and grappling prowess to make a compelling fight narrative.
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Stylistic Clash: Garry is a striker with confidence in his judo and stand-up. Chimaev, known for his dominant wrestling, presents a classic contrast. Garry has publicly welcomed Chimaev’s takedowns, hinting at his readiness for a grappling war.
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Backstage Tension: The shove at UFC Qatar in 2025 underscores that there is more than just verbal back-and-forth — there is real animosity. That increases the stakes dramatically: fans don’t just see a fight; they see a grudge.
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Legacy Ambitions: Garry’s ambition to move up to middleweight (185 lb) to fight Chimaev (a former middleweight contender) shows he views Chimaev not just as a target, but as a legacy-defining opponent.
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Identity & Family Narrative: Garry’s personal life — taking his wife’s Brazilian name, close family ties, and a blended family — gives him a unique public story. It adds emotional weight and relatability, making him more than just another fighter; he’s a person with deep roots and a clear identity.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Has Ian Garry fought Khamzat Chimaev already?
A1: No. As of now, they have not had an official UFC fight. The tension is real, but their rivalry remains off the card.
Q2: Why does Ian Garry have “Machado” in his name?
A2: Garry adopted “Machado” (his wife Layla’s maiden name) after marriage to honor her Brazilian heritage and unify their blended family.
Q3: Is Ian Garry Brazilian?
A3: No. Ian Garry is Irish by birth (born in Portmarnock, Ireland). The Machado part of his name comes from his wife’s Brazilian roots.
Q4: Who is Ian Garry’s wife?
A4: His wife is Layla Anna-Lee, a sports presenter and journalist. They married in February 2022.
Q5: Does Ian Garry have children?
A5: Yes. Ian and Layla have a son, Leandro “Leo” Vegas Machado Garry, born in October 2022. Layla also has a son from a previous relationship, making it a blended family.
Q6: Why did Ian Garry say Chimaev has “little d*ck energy”?
A6: The remark came after a backstage shove by Chimaev at UFC Qatar in November 2025. Garry used the phrase to criticize Chimaev’s behaviour, calling him childish and undermining his champion status.
Q7: Could Garry fight Chimaev in the future?
A7: Potentially yes. Garry has expressed a strong desire to fight Chimaev — possibly even at middleweight — and he believes he could beat him. But nothing is officially confirmed yet.
Conclusion
Ian Machado Garry represents a unique blend of talent, ambition, and personal narrative. He’s not just a skilled UFC welterweight: he’s a fighter with strong convictions, a deep connection to his family, and aspirations that go beyond his current division.
His rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev isn’t just a promotional dream — it’s personal. Garry’s belief in his own ability to beat Chimaev, combined with real-life tension and emotional stakes, makes this one of the most compelling “what-if” matchups in modern MMA.
While they haven’t yet clashed in the Octagon, the story around Garry — his name, his family, his ambition — ensures that fans will watch closely, hoping for that moment when their showdown becomes real.
