UFC Contender Ian Machado Garry Says a Plant-Based Diet Took Him to ‘Another Level’
Irish fighter Ian Machado Garry says switching to a plant-based diet has reshaped his performance inside the octagon and his strength as an athlete.
The UFC contender, aptly known as “The Future,” appears in a new PETA campaign highlighting the role vegan eating can play in elite sport. Currently ranked No. 2 in the welterweight division with a 10–1 record, Machado Garry credits animal-free foods with supporting his training, recovery, and mental focus.
‘On Another Level’
In PETA’s video, Machado Garry – who is currently preparing for a world title fight against Islam Makhachev on 15 August – describes nutrition as foundational to success at the highest level of competition.
“Every fighter wants to be the best. For me, it starts with what I put in my body,” he says. “Before I was plant-based, I was strong. But now, I’m on another level.”
Machado Garry explains the shift has helped him recover faster than ever – and delivered benefits beyond physical power, pointing to endurance, clarity, and discipline as well.
“I’m not just fighting opponents,” he says. “I’m fighting limits to be the best version of me and the best athlete out there.”
Plant-Based Diets and Athletic Achievement
A growing number of professional athletes are embracing plant-based diets, with tennis star Novak Djokovic, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, and strongman Patrik Baboumian all among those crediting animal-free foods with their success.
A Kinder and More Sustainable Choice
In addition to athletic prowess, switching to vegan food benefits animals and the planet. Animals commonly raised for food are intelligent and emotionally complex: pigs recognise their own names, chickens form social hierarchies, cows develop lasting friendships, and fish have long‑term memories. They are someone, not something, and want to live just like us. Studies have also shown that switching to a plant-based diet can lower an individual’s carbon footprint by 75%.
Drop Animal Products Today!
If you, like Machado Garry, are ready to complement your training regime with vegan foods, we recommend watching Netflix documentary Game Changers, which explores the benefits of plant-based diets for athletes.
Ready to adopt a kinder, healthier, and more sustainable diet? Order our free Vegan Starter Kit today:
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