UFC's Ian Machado Garry claims he is the smartest fighter on the planet - 'Carlos Prates gets a lot more hype than he deserves'

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UFC will return to our screens this weekend when Ian Machado Garry takes on Carlos Prates, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Ahead of the bout, the 27-year-old Irishman has claimed to be the smartest fighter in the world and accused his opponent Prates of being overhyped due to his knockout power. Machado Garry is hoping to bounce back from the first UFC defeat of his career.

'Prates is not as techically gifted as me' - Machado Garry

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ian Machado Garry insists he is the smartest fighter in the world ahead of his clash with Carlos Prates at UFC on ESPN.

The two welterweights are set to go head-to-head live on TNT Sports and discovery+ this Saturday, but the 27-year-old Irishman believes that his opponent has been overhyped.

Machado Garry suffered the first defeat of his MMA career against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310, but he still boasts a record of 15-1.

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Prates' MMA record stands at 21-6, but the Brazilian is still undefeated in the UFC.

Machado Garry believes his opponent has been overhyped due to his impressive punching power.

"Carlos Prates is good," he said.

"I think he gets a lot more hype than he deserves.

"I have enjoyed watching his tapes, I have enjoyed watching his performances.

"I think he is doing what he needs to do in the UFC and the UFC likes him because he is going out there and knocking people out.

"I just do not think he is as technically gifted as me.

"I don't think he has the answers to the questions I am going to ask him.

"I genuinely feel that on April 26 I am going to be able to do whatever I want to him.

"Listen, I love watching the fighting nerds fight, I absolutely love it, but now one of them is fighting me, and I am going to show them that I am simply just better.

"I don't care what they throw at me, I don't care what they plan for, I am the smartest fighter in the world, and I am going to show the world on April 26."

Machado Garry took the fight at late notice, having recently been called up as a last-minute replacement for Belal Muhammad at UFC 310.

He claims to have taken this fight with just 25 days' notice but insists that he is always happy to step inside the octagon.

'When you call me and you ask me to fight, there's only one answer' - Ian Machado Garry

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I was in Madrid, and I was in the corner for a friend of mine and my agent called me," he added.

"He asked me if I was able to fight on short notice , and I asked how short notice it was.

"He said 25 days, and I said 'yeah I'm in, tell the UFC I'm in' and hung up the phone.

"He called me back and said 'dude, you just agreed to the fight and hung up on me, don't you want to know who it is against?'

"He told me it was Carlos Prates and I was like 'sweet, let's go', it was that simple.

"I was born to fight, so if you call me and ask me if I want to fight there is only one answer, yes."

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