UFC star Ian Garry ‘cautious’ about travelling to America for UFC 296 as Irishman worries for safety of his family after recent controversy surrounding his wife and her book ‘How to be a WAG’

UFC welterweight Ian Garry addressed the recent controversy surrounding his wife and admitted it left him apprehensive about traveling to the United States for UFC 296.

The Irishman, 26, and his wife, Layla Machado Garry (formerly Layla Anna-Lee), 40, have been the center of debate in the MMA world over the past week after online users brought up 'How to Be a WAG' .

The tongue-in-cheek audiobook Layla released in 2010 claims it's a “guide to catching the man of your dreams” – which caused a stir on social media last week.

Fans and other MMA stars have plenty to say about Garry's relationship with the TV sports presenter, who is fourteen years his senior.

Many suggested that Layla's 'book' was essentially a gold-digger's guide and also pointed out that the 40-year-old is 14 years older than Garry.

UFC star Ian Garry is worried about his family's safety as he travels to America

Garry returns to the octagon next Saturday against Vincente Luque at UFC 296 in Las Vegas, a card headlined by a welterweight title fight between champion Leon Edwards and Colby Covington.

Speaking ahead of the fight, the undefeated Irishman said: 'I'm a bit cautious going to America for the safety of my family with all the s*** that's happening online.

'To protect my wife, my child and myself. I'm not worried about the battle at all. Fighting is fun…the build up I love, the energy, I thrive on it…

“But not being able to respond to people personally is going to excite me a little bit.”

Garry's wife, Layla, was criticized for a book written in 2010

Layla, who works as a TV sports presenter, took to Instagram to respond to the backlash in a statement.

She said: 'I wrote a book called 'How to Become a WAG'. Now, that statement itself is a bit of an exaggeration. I can hardly call myself the author of an eleven-page audible-only satire story written in 2010.

'That context is crucial, because that was during the World Cup, when I worked at OK and at various tabloid magazines. We were making this hilarious satire looking at wives and girlfriends in football.

'If you listen to it, that satirical book is really silly and anyone who takes it as fact has completely missed the point.

Garry wants to play 7-0 against Vicente Luque next Saturday in Las Vegas

'It was a great success at the time. We hit it off, it was funny and people got the joke.”

On Amazon, the book's description reads: 'How to Become a WAG – The Ultimate Guide to Catching the Man of Your Dreams!

'The best new career option is to become a WAG, and we're here to tell you how you can become part of the most prestigious Wives and Girlfriends (WAGs) club.

'Have you ever dreamed of following in the footsteps of people like Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Cole or Coleen Rooney? This guide contains everything you need to know!'

Machado Garry and Layla tied the knot in February 2022 before welcoming their son into the world in October last year.

Although this is Machado Garry's first marriage, Layla was previously married to Richard Cullen, the star's current nutritionist.