UFC star Ian Garry has laid out his plans for the next few years as the Irishman continues to push for The Takeover 2.0.

In just two UFC fights we’ve already seen Ian Garry display a wide array of skills, which is particularly impressive given the fact that he’s just 24 years old. The man known as ‘The Future’ wholeheartedly believes he can follow in the footsteps of Conor McGregor and become the next great mixed martial arts star from Ireland.

Between his unbeaten 9-0 record and his transition over to Sanford MMA, he has all the tools necessary to make huge strides forward in the welterweight division.

In a recent chat with GiveMeSport.com, Garry opened up about how he wants to build his brand as well as how elite-level footballers have inspired him.

“What we try to do is base it off of footballers, right? Because the footballer is the most important person. He is the person who brings all the media, he has all the attention. I’m not comparing myself to anyone, but Ronaldo is bigger than any football team, really. Like, that’s what we want to base it off.

“It’s not about whether he plays for Real, whether he plays for United or Juventus. Those clubs aren’t important. I mean of course they are, but it’s the footballer.”

Garry’s two wins came at UFC 268 and UFC 273 with his plan being to stick to performing on PPV cards for the time being.

“We base it around me. So, that approach is what we want to take. I’m the number one priority. Everything I do is about me. Yes, there’s this whole event that we’re putting on and this whole legacy I want to create, and I need the help of the people I surround myself with and the organisation I’m signed to and that’s amazing. 

“But, at the end of the day, I’m the one who’s getting into that cage and fighting. I’ve got to put myself first and I think a lot of fighters don’t understand that yet. I’m young, I’m smart and I’ve got a team behind me that understand that.”

The next step

In the immediate aftermath of his win over Darian Weeks, Garry announced that he and his wife are expecting their first child together. When asked about what the next 18-24 months could have in store for him, the youngster proved once more that he’s wise beyond his years.

“I’ve got a baby on the way, so that is obviously going to be my number one priority, ensuring that my little boy is safe and happy and my wife is safe and happy, and just fight in between all of that.

“It’s gonna be madness, it’s gonna be fun, it’s gonna be everything that we planned on it being. Yeah, it’s gonna be adventurous and there’s gonna be a lot of freedom, a lot of fun. A lot of smiles and good times.”