Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry were photographed together at a press conference in Dublin, Ireland. The meeting signals a potential business connection between the two.
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry were photographed together at a press conference in Dublin, Ireland, on June 30, 2026, raising immediate speculation about a potential business relationship between the two.
Garry, known as "The Future," is currently ranked first in the UFC welterweight division at just 28 years old. The Dublin native carries a professional MMA record of 17-1-0 and has built a reputation as one of the most technically precise strikers in the 170-pound class. Standing six-foot-three with a 74-inch reach, he lands 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy rate of 54 percent, figures that place him among the elite in the division. His orthodox stance and composed, range-based fighting style have drawn comparisons to the kind of crossover appeal that combat sports promoters actively seek.
Hearn, the head of Matchroom Boxing and one of the most prominent promoters in global combat sports, has previously shown interest in expanding his portfolio beyond boxing. His appearance alongside Garry at a Dublin press conference suggests the two sides may be exploring avenues for collaboration, though no formal deal or announcement has been confirmed.
Why it matters
- Garry is the number-one-ranked UFC welterweight, making him one of the most marketable fighters in MMA right now
- A connection with a high-profile boxing promoter could signal crossover event interest or broader promotional ambitions
- The meeting took place in Garry's home city of Dublin, a market with a proven appetite for major combat sports events
- No official agreement has been announced, leaving the nature of any potential partnership open to interpretation
