UFC TITLE CHALLENGER IAN MACHADO GARRY JOINS MATCHROOM TALENT AGENCY AS EDDIE HEARN LAUDS 'SUPERSTAR' SIGNING
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 25 Jun 2026
Matchroom Talent Agency is delighted to announce today UFC title challenger Ian Machado Garry as the latest addition to its elite roster.
The Irishman challenges pound-for-pound No.1 Islam Makhachev for the UFC Welterweight Championship on August 15 in Philadelphia at UFC 330.
The 28-year-old – known as ‘The Future’ – ruled the world as the Cage Warriors king before switching to the UFC back in 2021.
With a brilliant Octagon record of 18-1 (10-1 in UFC), Machado Garry has gone on to be ranked No.2 in the official UFC Meta rankings after earning a shot at Makhachev following incredible back-to-back victories over former champion Belal Muhammad and then Carlos Prates in November 2025. With his next win, he would become the most victorious Irish fighter in UFC history.
Now, with the biggest night of his UFC career on the horizon, Machado Garry joins fellow MMA mega star Tom Aspinall, and Rugby Union superstars Henry Pollock and Finn Russell, as part of Eddie Hearn’s new stable, who will guide his commercial interests. His sporting endeavours will continue to be managed by Lloyd Pierson, Vayner Sports and The Future Group.
Garry said: “I have a lot respect for Matchroom. Signing with their Talent Agency isn’t just a step outside of the Octagon, it’s an extension of the same mission: be undeniable everywhere. This is about building a legacy – and this is just the beginning.
“Matchroom was built by a family that turned a vision into an empire, and that’s exactly the kind of legacy I love. My team is my family too, it’s how I operate, it’s how I win. Together we can continue to be disruptive and change the game.”
Matchroom Talent Agency is Matchroom Sport’s new brand of talent management, created by Chairman Eddie Hearn to manage and service leading Sport & Entertainment talent with care and loyalty, nurturing athletes’ careers by managing their brand and building their reputations.
The new subsidiary sits alongside Matchroom Sport’s leading global entities in Matchroom Boxing, Professional Darts Corporation, World Snooker and Matchroom MultiSport.
With an unrivalled dominance over the past 40 years, Matchroom has been at the heart of the some of the most poignant sporting moments in history, pioneered by an array of icons and legendary superstars from generations past and present.
And Hearn believes Machado Garry is ready to establish himself as one of the world’s leading combat sports athletes, backing the Dublin-born fighter to triumph in his huge title clash with Makhachev this summer.
Hearn said: “Ian Machado Garry is on the cusp of greatness and I truly believe he is the one of the next big superstars in combat sport.
“Since signing UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall, we have been inundated with MMA athletes asking us to represent them. But we handpicked Ian because he was someone who we really wanted to work with – and someone we truly believe in.
“He is a phenomenal talent. He is one of the most charismatic and skilful fighters in the sport today. And on August 15 he will win the UFC Welterweight Championship. Beating Islam Makhachev will give Ian that superstar status he deserves and will make him one of the key figures in MMA."
News of an official unveiling at a media conference will follow in due course. Keep track of all the latest Matchroom Talent Agency developments on social media @matchroomtalentagency
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