Ian Machado Garry using mother's doubt as fuel for UFC 330

Ian Machado Garry heads into his UFC 330 welterweight title shot against Islam Makhachev carrying fuel from an unexpected source: his mother's early dismissal of his fighting career.

Appearing on the High Performance podcast, Garry recounted how his MMA journey began with him dropping out of college to wash windows for his uncle. When he announced plans to join a gym and pursue fighting full-time, his mother sent him a letter that became infamous after his UFC debut at Madison Square Garden. The Irishman recalled her exact words on the podcast, per MMA Mania: she wrote that being the next Conor McGregor was not a plan.

Mother barred from MSG debut over COVID restrictions

Garry made that MSG debut at 23 during pandemic restrictions that prevented his mother from attending. He admitted feeling relieved she could not fly in. He told the podcast he felt his parents had not shown up with the love and support he needed early on, so they should not get the proud parent moment when things went well. He clarified he does not hold it against them, but the memory irritates him and pushes him to improve.

The welterweight contender now leans on his wife Layla for the support he says he lacked early in his career. He called her his earth angel and the person he turns to for guidance. Garry said any smart man should listen to his wife and suggested the world would run more smoothly if women were in charge.

Garry faces Makhachev, the consensus pound-for-pound top fighter in the sport, on August 15. Most observers consider the Irishman a heavy underdog, but he has spent years proving doubters wrong.

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• MMA Mania — Ian Machado Garry channeling mommy issues for UFC 330 title fight : ‘I use that as fuel every day’