Top UFC welterweight Ian Machado Garry faces two-division champion Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 330 on Saturday night in Philadelphia. The 28-year-old Irish fighter enters the octagon inside the Xfinity Arena in Rocky's hometown.
A victory for Garry over the world's top pound-for-pound fighter would mark more than an individual achievement. Garry recently signed with Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn, the bitter rival of UFC and ZUFFA Boxing frontman Dana White.
If Garry pulls off the upset tomorrow, English promoter Hearn will have two UFC champions in his athlete stable, a result that would irk UFC leadership. Hearn previously signed 33-year-old UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall as a counter move after White signed longtime Matchroom athlete Conor Benn, 29.
Benn won his first ZUFFA Boxing fight against Regis Prograis in April. Benn is now scheduled to fight 28-year-old boxing star Ryan Garcia on September 12.
Promoter Rivalry and Fighter Transfers
Defeating Makhachev would bolster Hearn's revenge and soothe much of the pain the Matchroom chief felt after losing Benn to White earlier this year. A win would also give Hearn momentum toward booking a heavyweight rematch between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane against the scenic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Garry understands what a victory would mean for growing his brand in the European market, which is operated and controlled by Hearn and his sports agency team. Working with Hearn is about more than money and opportunity for Garry, who cited respect for the business relationship.
"For me, it was an absolute no-brainer," Garry said of the partnership. "As someone who grew up in Ireland and is living in England right now, when you talk about the biggest sports promoter in our region, it is Eddie Hearn, it is Matchroom, and they've been successful at it for God knows how long at this point."
Garry highlighted the generational success of Matchroom and his respect for the organization. "I love [the Hearn's] family bond. I love Eddie's relationship with his dad. I love how they work. We've known their team for a while," he said.
Matchroom Partnership and European Growth
"[Signing with Matchroom] was the right decision at the right time to help grow my brand, grow my name and do it together so that we can bring more eyes to all of my fights," Garry added. "We can bring more attention to when I compete and that's my focus."
Garry faces a swift and technical champion in Dagestan's Makhachev, a longtime teammate of all-time great fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov. Makhachev lives in New Jersey and moved up from the lightweight division to make his first title defense at 170 pounds.
Makhachev is attempting to achieve UFC history by winning 17 straight fights inside the octagon. Both fighters aim to outthink and outwill each other in what promises to be one of the most competitive bouts of the year.
Garry enters as a major underdog despite notable performances against division bogeymen Carlos Prates and Shavkat Rakhmonov. Hearn will likely be saying an extra prayer for Garry to shock the world and swipe one of White's bishops.
