Eddie Hearn says Ian Machado Garry is one UFC win away from becoming the sport’s next major crossover star

Ian Machado Garry’s UFC title shot against Islam Makhachev has been positioned not only as a career-defining fight, but also as a possible turning point for the sport’s next “big name.” Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who is now representing Garry, said the Irish fighter is one victory away from being “arguably the biggest name in the UFC,” emphasizing how a title win can accelerate recognition beyond core audiences.

The matchup matters for the UFC’s title picture because Makhachev is already established at the top of his division’s prestige tier, and Garry’s path to that stage has required building credibility strong enough to earn a shot at the champion. Hearn’s comments reflect the promotional calculus that comes with fighting for a belt: when the stakes are immediate and the spotlight is shared with the champion, the public sees the storyline all at once.

Hearn’s involvement is also a report about how UFC stars are increasingly treated as global sports properties, with cross-market visibility that resembles top-tier boxing promotion. In the Yahoo Sports piece, the framing is direct, with Hearn describing Garry as close to a mainstream breakthrough and tying that potential leap to the outcome against Makhachev.

In practical terms, “one win from being the biggest name” is less a claim about in-fight performance and more about market positioning. A title win tends to concentrate media attention, deepen sponsor and commercial interest, and establish a fighter’s identity as more than a highlight reel. For Garry, the question is whether the champion-defining win translates into sustained star power rather than a one-night spike.

There is also a competitive backdrop to watch. Makhachev’s status means Garry’s ceiling will be interpreted through the lens of how thoroughly he handles the champion’s style and pressure. If Garry wins decisively, the “biggest name” narrative becomes easier to support. If he loses, it likely resets the timeline and refocuses attention on what separates promising challengers from long-term headliners.

What to watch next, beyond the result itself, is whether Garry’s profile grows in the ways Hearn suggested, including expanded mainstream media coverage and increased attention from audiences that may not follow UFC closely. The fight is the key event, but the lasting story will be whether the market treats a Garry victory as the start of a new era for welterweight leadership and a more prominent promotional identity for UFC at large.