Garry On Why Training With Maia Is Non-Negotiable
Ian Garry relocated to Brazil to sharpen his grappling under Demian Maia ahead of his welterweight title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 330.
Garry told Spinnin Backfist that working with Maia was the driving force behind the move. "Traveling out to Brazil and training jiu-jitsu with Demian Maia, arguably the greatest grappler in MMA history, sounds like an absolute no-brainer," he said, per Sherdog. "There is nobody in MMA in Irish history that is as good a grappler or as talented as Demian Maia. So, it's non-negotiable. It's not a conversation."
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Why Garry Chose Brazil Over Florida And England
The Irishman has split his camp for the Aug. 15 Philadelphia card between England, Ireland and Brazil. He previously trained at Kill Cliff FC in Florida under Henri Hooft, drawn by a roster of elite welterweights and a coach who moulded multiple champions. Before that, Garry spent time at Team Renegade in Birmingham, home to Leon Edwards, but was reportedly banned over allegations he recorded training sessions without permission.
Garry told Spinnin Backfist that his decisions are guided by one question: what will make him the best version of himself. "When I made the decision to leave Ireland to go and train, it was with 100% focus on what can I, as an athlete, do to be the best version of me," he said. "I'm going now where there is nothing but elite-level athletes to go and learn, pick their brains and help evolve myself."
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Garry holds a 17-1 record and challenges Makhachev, 28-1, for the welterweight strap at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The main event marks his first UFC title fight.
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