Ian Machado Garry says beating Islam Makhachev on Saturday would do more than make him a world champion. It would move him past Conor McGregor as the most successful Irish fighter in UFC history.
Garry challenges Makhachev for the UFC welterweight championship in the main event of UFC 330 on Saturday, August 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. He sits at 10-1 in the Octagon, level with McGregor on 10 UFC victories.
Speaking with Daniel Cormier on the former two-division champion’s YouTube channel, Garry laid out what he believes is on the table beyond the belt.
My job this weekend is about stopping his history, his legacy, and creating my own,” Garry said. “My own history that I create this week is I become the second UFC champion from Ireland. My legacy this week is I become the most victorious Irishman in UFC history. I pass Conor for wins in the sport.
McGregor Left The Record Sitting There
That milestone was nearly out of reach a month ago. McGregor returned from a five-year layoff on July 11 at UFC 329 and would have moved to 11 UFC wins with a victory over Max Holloway.
Instead, his knee gave out seconds into the fight after a jumping kick, and the bout was waved off at 1:09 of the opening round. The 69-second loss in Las Vegas left McGregor stranded on 10 and handed Garry a clear run at the number.
McGregor also remains the only Irish fighter to win a UFC title, a reign that ended against Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018. No Irishman had challenged for UFC gold in the years since until Garry earned this shot.
Makhachev Has His Own Number To Chase
The final step is considerably harder than the arithmetic makes it sound. Makhachev has won 16 straight inside the UFC, tying Anderson Silva’s promotional record, and took the welterweight title from Jack Della Maddalena in his 170-pound debut at UFC 322 last November.
A 17th would break Silva’s mark outright. Both men walk into Philadelphia with a piece of history in front of them, and the betting markets have made Makhachev a clear favorite to be the one who leaves with it.
Garry has never fought for a UFC title. He built his case with a decision over Carlos Prates in April 2025 and a unanimous decision over former champion Belal Muhammad in Doha last November, and has spent fight week arguing that his own list of opponents is the more dangerous one. He has also made peace with the McGregor comparisons that have followed him since his debut, right up to the point where he takes the record.
