He’s undefeated, hails from Ireland, and possesses both a sharp tongue and powerful punches. While you might think of Conor McGregor, this rising star is carving his own path in the UFC welterweight division. Meet Ian Garry, better known as ‘The Future’. With an unblemished record of 15 wins, including 7 electrifying knockouts, Garry is living up to his nickname.

Every UFC fighter has a story behind their moniker, and Garry’s is no exception. Embracing comparisons to the iconic McGregor, Garry’s journey and his nickname reflect his confidence, ambition, and belief that he’s destined to become one of the sport’s greats. Here’s the fascinating story behind his moniker.

What is the meaning and origin behind Ian Garry’s nickname ‘The Future’?

Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Ian Garry naturally draws comparisons to Conor McGregor, the former dual-weight champion and one of the most iconic figures in UFC history. The parallels are undeniable—both fighters had iconic moments at Madison Square Garden, with Garry making his debut at UFC 268, the same venue where McGregor won the lightweight championship. Additionally, both honed their skills and won titles in Cage Warriors, Ireland’s premier MMA promotion. However, while their careers share similarities, the stories behind their nicknames are distinct.

Garry’s moniker, ‘The Future’ reflects his forward-thinking mindset and relentless pursuit of growth. Constantly focused on the next challenge, the 27-year-old views every fight as an opportunity to evolve. In an interview with Sports Mockery, Garry discussed his philosophy when asked if he would ever drop the nickname. His response was profound, “When I’m done. The future is inevitable, mate. It’s inevitable. You can’t stop what’s inevitable.”

Interestingly, Ian Machado Garry’s name has undergone its own transformation outside the Octagon. Born as David Garry and widely known as Ian Garry throughout his MMA journey, the fighter recently added a significant touch to his identity—Machado. This addition, much like his nickname ‘The Future’ feels inevitable and carries special meaning in his life.

Why did Ian Garry change his name?

In 2022, Ian Garry made a meaningful change to his identity by adding a new middle name. This heartfelt transformation came after he tied the knot with Layla Anna-Lee in a Las Vegas ceremony that year. Layla, a British television presenter specializing in sports was to a Brazilian mother and an English father of Irish and Scottish descent. Following their marriage, Garry adopted her maiden name, ‘Machado’ as his middle name—a gesture rooted in love and family unity.

Layla Anna-Lee married Richard Cullen in 2014 before meeting Garry, a union that ended in divorce. She has a son from her first marriage, whom Garry adores and considers family. The addition of ‘Machado’ to his name sparked rumors, with some mistakenly believing it was connected to Layla’s ex-husband. However, the truth was far more profound and unconventional, as Garry explained in an interview with CBS Sports.

“The truth is I only did it because I wanted my son and my stepson to feel connected,” Garry revealed. “I didn’t want them going through life with two separate surnames. I feel like there’s a bit of a disconnect. If you guys want to be brothers, I want to make sure you have that same connection.”

Garry and his wife handled the speculation, criticism, and online trolling with grace. Even within the UFC community, they found allies who supported their decision. Notably, UFC commentator Laura Sanko addressed the rumors on the JAXXON Podcast, emphasizing Garry’s noble intentions. “As a gesture of wanting his family to be a unit, he decided to take her maiden name and add it to their family name,” she clarified, putting to rest any misunderstandings.

With his name firmly rooted in love and unity, Garry is now preparing for one of the toughest challenges of his career. At UFC 310, he’ll face former teammate and undefeated boogeyman Shavkat Rakhmonov. As Bruce Buffer announces ‘Ian Machado Garry’ with his iconic booming voice, all eyes will be on ‘The Future’ to see if he can keep his winning streak alive. What do you think—will Garry overcome this challenge and extend his unbeaten record? Let us know in the comments below!