Ian Machado Garry believes he has an opportunity to replicate one of the most iconic moments in Irish MMA history when he challenges Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title at UFC 330 on Aug. 15.
Appearing on the High Performance podcast this week, Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) discussed the comparisons that have followed him throughout his career and drew parallels between his upcoming fight and Conor McGregor’s legendary upset of Jose Aldo at UFC 194 in 2015.
“My whole career I've had a lot of expectations. I've had a lot of pressure from the outside world, from the fans and the sport itself, to be this star, to live up to the hype that Conor McGregor set,” Garry said.
The Irish contender acknowledged that being from Dublin has inevitably led to comparisons with McGregor, one of the biggest stars in combat sports history.
“Being from Dublin, Ireland, I've had a lot of comparisons to Conor due to the fact that we're both from Dublin, we're both from Ireland, we both talk the talk, we both walk the walk, but we will fight anyone on the planet,” Garry said. “And that's nothing to do with me, but everything to do with people comparing me to him.”
Garry has never hidden the fact that McGregor played a significant role in inspiring him to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.
“I've been very vocal about how I started this sport,” Garry said. “Being a fan of his and being inspired by Conor on his rise to greatness in the sport and completely transcending the entire MMA scale to this entire world, he transcended the sport to a next level.”
McGregor famously captured the featherweight title by knocking out Aldo in just 13 seconds, ending the Brazilian's decade-long reign at the top of the division. Garry sees similarities between that moment and his upcoming clash with Makhachev, who is widely regarded as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport.
“When Conor fought for his first UFC world title, he fought the number one pound-for-pound fighter (Jose Aldo), who hadn't been beaten for a decade. And he knocked him out in 13 seconds,” Garry said. “I cannot wait to step into the Octagon against Islam Makhachev and beat him, because there will be no doubt that I have done it against the best.”
Garry believes a victory over Makhachev would remove any questions about his standing in the sport.
“To be the best, you have to beat the best,” Garry said. “My next opponent, right now, is regarded by everyone in the world as the number one ranked pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. Make no excuses. There will be no doubt.
“After the fight, I just want it to be known. Ian Machado Garry is great.”
A win over Makhachev at UFC 330 would represent the biggest victory of Garry's career and could cement him as Ireland's next major MMA star while ending the lightweight champion's reign atop the pound-for-pound rankings.
