Ian Machado Garry has announced a partnership with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency less than two months before challenging for the UFC welterweight championship.
The 28-year-old Irish contender revealed the agreement on social media on Wednesday, confirming he will continue to be represented by Vayner Sports while Matchroom Talent Agency oversees his commercial interests. Garry becomes the second high-profile UFC athlete to work with Hearn after undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
“Congratulations @matchroomtalentagency you’ve signed THE FUTURE,” Garry said, according to his Instagram account. “I’m excited to announce Team Future just Got Bigger. Alongside @vaynersports I’ll be joining The Matchroom Talent Agency — who will now work across my commercial interests.”
Garry, who holds a 17-1 professional record, is scheduled to challenge UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 330 in Philadelphia on August 15. The announcement comes as Hearn continues to expand his links with athletes competing under the UFC banner.
The partnership also comes against the backdrop of ongoing public disagreements between Hearn and UFC and Zuffa Boxing CEO Dana White. The pair have clashed over several issues, including Zuffa Boxing’s signing of British boxer Conor Benn, Hearn’s criticism of Tom Aspinall’s UFC contract, and White’s potential involvement in a proposed boxing bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Garry’s title challenge against Makhachev will mark the first UFC championship opportunity of his career, with the Irish welterweight aiming to become a UFC champion after emerging as one of the promotion’s leading contenders.
