Ian Machado Garry has revealed he cries earlier than each battle, likening the expertise to ‘taking all of the armour off’.
The divisive Irish welterweight, 26, outpointed Geoff Neal at UFC 298 on Saturday (17 February) to remain unbeaten, earlier than calling out the controversial Colby Covington.
On Monday (19 February), Garry went on The MMA Hour to debate his need for a Dublin conflict with Covington, whereas additionally making a suprising revelation a few pre-fight ritual.
“As quickly as I’m carried out with my warm-up, I give myself about 20 minutes to only calm the physique down and let the physique calm down,” he informed Ariel Helwani. “I placed on all my gear – my headphones, my music, no matter it’s, my jacket – and put my hood up. I get on all fours, put my palms on my head and my brow to the bottom, and I swear to God, Ariel, it’s prompt tears.
“It’s being grateful for the journey that I’m on, the skills that I’ve, for the individuals which can be right here, for the folks that I want had been with me sharing the journey.
“All through the day I simply really feel myself getting increasingly emotional. The reality is I cry my eyes out and thank God for every little thing I’ve been blessed with. It’s like taking all of the armour off me after which going out and simply being myself.”
Garry’s brashness and self-confidence have confirmed divisive amongst followers, a lot of whom booed the Irishman on the UFC 298 pre-fight press convention and on battle night time.
Garry’s split-decision win over American Neal improved his unbeaten file to 14-0 and noticed him climb 4 stops within the UFC’s 170lbs rankings. Now ranked sixth, Garry sits slightly below Covington within the division.