It is not surprising to see Ian Garry’s striking prowess since he started boxing at the age of ten. The welterweight was inspired by Conor McGregor, who was setting the MMA world on fire when ‘The Future’ was a teen. This made him determined to embark on a journey to become ‘the next Conor McGregor.’ Garry even dropped out of college at 19 to pursue his MMA dream. The Irishman had his first professional MMA fight in 2019 following a brief amateur stint. His first gym, where he cut his teeth, was Team KF in Dublin. However, the 26-year-old parted ways with the gym in 2021, just before his Cage Warriors title bout in June that year, for reasons we’ll explore later.
After leaving the Irish gym, he joined the storied Kill Cliff gym, home to former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, fellow undefeated welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov, and lightweight star and former Bellator champ Michael Chandler. In addition to Kill Cliff, he also cross-trained at the Renegade gym in Birmingham. This gym is the stomping ground of welterweight champion Leon Edwards. ‘The Future’ has accused Edwards of getting him kicked out of the gym last year. However, Edwards has rubbished these claims. Right now, the Irishman trains at the Chute Boxe gym led by Diego Lima in Sao Paulo, where he rubs shoulders with former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.
Why Was Ian Garry Kicked Out of His Gym?
As mentioned, Ian Garry was kicked out of the Renegade gym last year. The undefeated welterweight blames his exit squarely on Leon Edwards. In an interview after parting ways with the Birmingham gym, he claimed that the head coach asked him to leave since he and Edwards were on a collision course. However, Edwards has contradicted these claims and revealed that Garry was kicked out not because of him or their possible future fight but due to his unprofessional conduct.
“Basically, the gym decided that he just wasn’t fitting for the gym. He’s like a talker, a social media guy, brings his cameras everywhere. He’s late to sessions. It’s like two different cultures to what we have in our gym. The guys decided, not because of me,” Edwards said.
‘Rocky’s version of events does seem more credible since Garry has a history of being kicked out of gyms for similar conduct, as the champ alluded to. Team KF, his first gym, released a statement following the Irishman’s exit, accusing Garry of very similar transgressions. The Irish gym claimed that ‘The Future’ was kicked out after “repeated warnings regarding his behavior to other teammates and his coaches,” and since he did not adhere to the values of loyalty, honor, and respect, his position had become “untenable.” The statement also charged Garry with being “uncoachable.”
Ian Garry’s Rise and Controversies
Despite these controversies, Garry has continued to rise in the UFC ranks. His ambition and dedication to becoming a top fighter are evident. Training with elite athletes and under the guidance of top coaches has honed his skills, making him a formidable opponent in the welterweight division. The move to Chute Boxe under Diego Lima’s guidance marks a new chapter in Garry’s career. Surrounded by high-caliber fighters like Charles Oliveira, Garry has the opportunity to further elevate his game. His journey reflects his relentless pursuit of greatness, even if it means navigating through turbulent waters.
