"The most highly rated Irish prospect since Conor McGregor... "
UFC commentator John Anik laid it out for fight fans ahead of the promotional debut for Dublin's Ian Garry at Madison Square Garden.
The 23-year-old came into UFC 268 with a 7-0-0 record and Joe Rogan was declaring, before he entered The Octagon at MSG, that the Garry hype was 'off the charts'.
As Artic Monkeys blared out in the New York sporting mecca, though, there was a sobering stat shared out by Mike Bohn:
https://twitter.com/MikeBohnMMA/status/1457130299930910723
Garry had impressed in the Cage Warriors promotion and was facing Contender Series stud Jordan Williams. The confident Dub declared he was too much for the American, though.
Before he made the walk, Garry shared out an image from the dressing rooms and said he was 'proud to be repping the green'. Olé, Olé chants rang out at MSG as Bruce Buffer gave him a rousing UFC introduction.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CV8yaTEh2Mv/
Ian Garry finishes with a stunning KO
Jordan Williams got off to a flyer in the opening stages of UFC 268's final early prelim encounter. He was tagging Garry with straight lefts down the pipe.
The first half of the opening round was all about Williams and Garry would later admit that nerves had got the better of him before he eventually found his feet.
Grappling exchanges up against the fence saw him get back into the contest and he landed one lovely punch as he stepped back from a clinch. His nose was bloodied from those Williams punches but Garry was warming to his task.
He landed a couple of high kicks but was always alert to an opening in Williams' defences. Then, with only five seconds left of the round, his chance came. Williams got too close and bought a feint. His chin was left open and Garry timed a devastating punch that delivered him a KO win.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1457137960302874632
"Oh my goodness," proclaimed former UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, who was on co-commentary duty.
He followed up with a flurry but the fight was already being waved off as the commentators declared 'The hype is real'.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1457133945645117445
Garry soaked up the acclaim and paid tribute to Conor McGregor, his fighting idol, soon after his arm was raised in victory.
The Dubliner did not have it all his own way but will be looking for some fight-night bonuses after a stunning knock-out finish.
