UFC welterweight star Ian Garry has admitted he is feeling apprehensive about travelling to the United States for UFC 296 amid controversy surrounding his wife and her book.

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

The tongue-in-cheek audiobook released by Layla back in 2010 claims it is a ‘guide to catching the man of your dreams’ – which caused a stir on social media in the past week.

Fans and other MMA stars have had plenty to say about Garry’s relationship with the TV sports presenter, who is 14 years his senior.

Many suggested that Layla’s ‘book’ was essentially a guide for gold diggers and also pointed out the fact that the 40-year-old is 14 years Garry’s senior.

UFC star Ian Garry is worried for the safety of his family when he travels to America

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

Speaking ahead of the bout, the undefeated Irishman said: ‘I’m a little bit cautious about going to America, for the safety of my family, with all the s*** that’s been going on online.

‘To protect my wife, my child, myself. I’m not remotely concerned about the fight. Fight’s fun…the buildup I love, the energy, I thrive off of it…

‘But me not being able to react to people in person, it’s gonna wind me up a little bit.’

Garry’s wife, Layla, received criticism for a book that was written back 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 be a WAG’. Now, that statement itself is a little bit of a stretch. I can hardly call myself an author of an 11-page audible-only satire story that was written in 2010.

‘That context is key because that was during the FIFA World Cup when I was working at OK and various different gossip mags. We were creating this hilarious satire and look at wives and girlfriends in football.

‘That satirical book, if you listen to it, is really silly and anybody who takes it as fact has completely missed the mark.

Garry is looking to go 7-0 when he faces Vicente Luque in Las Vegas next Saturday

‘At the time, it was a huge success. It went out, it was funny, and people got the joke.’

On Amazon, the description for the book reads: ‘How to be a WAG – the ultimate guide to catching the man of your dreams!

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

‘Ever dreamed of walking in the footsteps of the likes of Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Cole, or Coleen Rooney? This guide has everything you need to know!’

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

While it’s Machado Garry’s first marriage, Layla was previously married to Richard Cullen, who is the star’s current nutritionist.