UFC Kansas City’s Ian Machado Garry already has flight booked for potential UFC 315 backup role: ‘I’m always ready’

Dan Hiergesell is an expert voice who serves as MMAmania.com's weekend editor, covering mixed martial arts (MMA) for more than 15 years, getting featured on programs such as Countdown to UFC and SiriusXM Fight Club, among others.

Ian Machado Garry is so confident in his ability to defeat Carlos Prates this weekend at UFC Kansas City that “Future” has already booked his flight for UFC 315 to become a potential title fight backup.

Saturday’s main event clash with Prates is a big opportunity for Garry. Not only will the Irish star be stepping up on just three weeks notice, but he’ll be taking on one of the hottest hands and most dangerous names in the division right now. Prates has looked unstoppable to date and not many contenders wanted to fight him next.

Garry, who is coming off his first professional loss at the hands of a Shavkat Rakhmonov decision this past December, is hoping to regain momentum at 170 pounds and put a stop to Prates’ rapid ascension. It’s much easier said than done, but Garry has more than enough confidence to get the job done and put himself back in line for title contention in 2025.

In fact, “Future” has already purchased plane tickets to fly to UFC 315 next month for the title fight between current UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad and surging contender Jack Della Maddalena. Garry’s plan is to cruise past Prates at UFC Kansas City then travel to Montreal, Quebec, Canada to fill in as an official backup for Muhammad vs. JDM.

“What if I told you my flight is already booked?” said Garry earlier this week when asked if he’d be interested in a short turnaround for UFC 315. “I’m ready. I’m always ready. I’m born to fight. It’s what I do.”

What do you think, fight fans? Is Garry putting the cart before the horse or doing exactly what he should be doing?

Let us know!

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WELTERWEIGHT WAR! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., for an electrifying main event clash on April 26, 2025. Irish Welterweight star, Ian Machado Garry, takes on surging Brazilian finisher, Carlos Prates, in a high-stakes, five-round showdown. In UFC KC’s co-main event, former Light Heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith, faces off against the hard-hitting Zhang Mingyang, promising an explosive battle in the 205-pound division.

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MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Kansas City fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN+ preliminary card bouts at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining UFC Kansas City main card balance on ESPN2 and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Kansas City news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive here. For the updated and finalized “Garry vs. Prates” fight card and ESPN2/ESPN+ lineup click here.