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Ian Machado Garry most recently opined that throughout his career he’s faced a lot of pressure to match the level of stardom achieved by his fellow Irishman and former UFC double champion Conor McGregor, who has been the face of MMA and the UFC’s biggest draw.

Garry is set to challenge two-division champion, the current welterweight titleholder and pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev, next month in the main event of UFC 330.

Most recently, during a sit-down with High Performance, “The Future” compared McGregor’s 2015 featherweight title bout with Jose Aldo to his upcoming 170-pound title fight with Islam Makhachev. He also added how throughout his career, everyone has expected him to become the next superstar from Dublin, Ireland, and “live up to the hype” that McGregor set. He said:

“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 being from Dublin, Ireland.”

McGregor dethroned Aldo in just 13 seconds, and now Garry, who’s going to face the P4P king on August 15, also has similar plans. The 28-year-old added:

“When Conor fought for his first UFC title, he fought the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, who hadn’t been beaten in a decade, and Conor knocked him out in 13 seconds. 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 again against the best.

Ian Machado Garry is confident that once he dethrones Makhachev, he will officially become the number one fighter in the world. McGregor scored a quick knockout in 2015 against Aldo, but “The Future” plans to dominate Makhachev over three rounds at UFC 330 before securing a fourth-round finish, leaving no room for debate that he is the better fighter.

Conor McGregor has a message for Ian Machado Garry before UFC 330 Islam Makhachev title bout

Earlier this month, during the UFC 329 post-fight presser, Conor McGregor sent a message to “The Future” before Garry’s title fight against Islam Makhachev. McGregor said:

“The Machado fella, I wish him well. I hope we do it. Go for Ireland.”

Check out Conor McGregor’s comments about Ian Machado Garry below:

McGregor was even game to fight his fellow Irishman for the ‘triple crown,’ if the latter dethrones Makhachev next month. However, the 38-year-old’s comeback bout against Max Holloway did not go as expected, as he was injured in the opening minute and lost by TKO (due to injury). He is expected to stay on the sidelines for 9-12 months, and if he returns to the octagon once more, as he has promised his fans, “The Notorious” would likely run it back with Holloway or face Michael Chandler.

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Still Got It?
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UFC

One of the Ultimate Fighting Championship athletes who competed on UFC Oklahoma City sustained quite a bit of facial damage.
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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

This past weekend at UFC Oklahoma City, Dricus du Plessis returned to winning ways in pure dominant fashion by beating Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision.

During the post-fight presser, Du Plessis took a lighthearted jab at the No. 3-ranked middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov.

The South African fighter believes that the current and two-time 185-pound titleholder, Sean Strickland, is not on his level since he has already beaten “Tarzan” twice. He then added during the post-fight presser:

“[These guys are not on my level since] I beat him [Sean Strickland] twice, and I don’t even know if [Nassourdine ]Imavov is still fighting. Is he? He’s still fighting? Imavov.”

Check out Dricus du Plessis‘ comments below:

Imavov could be the next UFC middleweight title challenger. “The Sniper” is riding a five-fight win streak and is eager to run it back with “Tarzan,” who beat him in 2023.

Meanwhile, seemingly responding to Dricus du Plessis’ above comments, Imavov posted on X:

“Relax ”

Check out Nassourdine Imavov’s comments below:

Dana White comments on if Dricus du Plessis has done enough to earn the next title shot

At the UFC Oklahoma City post-fight presser, Dana White was asked if Dricus du Plessis’ dominant win over Kamaru Usman was enough to make him the next title challenger. White lauded “Stillknocks” but made it clear that the matchmakers have not yet decided who Sean Strickland will face next.

Check out Dana White’s comments below:

Strickland could run it back with former champion Khamzat Chimaev, who’s hell-bent on securing the title match at all costs. Nassourdine Imavov could also be the next title challenger. He has openly expressed his frustration over not getting a title shot.

Du Plessis also likes the idea of a potential Strickland vs. Imavov bout, after which he wants to lock horns with Strickland and beat the latter a third time to get his strap back. He told Full Send MMA:

“He knows I have all the respect in the world for him [Sean Strickland]. In a different life, I might even call us friends. Fight Imavov and get a title defense; he earned that, and after that I’ll come and take my belt back”

Check out Dricus Du Plessis’ comments below:

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Unfinished Business
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UFC

Paramount+ poked fun at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final by comparing it to one of the most lackluster fights in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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Conor McGregor has now confirmed that he tore his ACL and meniscus at UFC 329.

Earlier this month, “The Notorious” made his long-awaited return after a five-year hiatus in the main event of UFC 329 to run it back with Max Holloway. However, just moments after the opening bell, the Irishman injured his right knee while throwing a flying roundhouse kick.

Once his lead leg was injured, every movement of the Dubliner was affected, and he kept falling to the ground, so referee Mike Beltran stopped the contest in just 69 seconds, and Holloway won by TKO (injury).

Conor McGregor suffered a similar injury during his first fight against “Blessed” in 2013, although it was his left leg that was injured on that occasion. Despite that, McGregor went on to earn a dominant unanimous decision victory by controlling Holloway with his grappling for the remainder of the fight once the leg was injured.

After the 2013 Holloway bout, “The Notorious” was out of action for nearly 9 months. On his return, he locked horns with Diego Brandao and knocked Brandao out in the first frame itself.

Conor McGregor is confident he can return to the octagon “by next summer”

This time, Conor McGregor believes with the help of “today’s regenerative medicine advancements and improved training methods” he can return to the octagon by next summer. He posted on X earlier today:

“Update: It was ACL and meniscus. It is the same injury as the first Holloway fight, only this time the opposite leg. Quite shocking. I returned to competition within 9 months to fight Diego Brandao back then. With today’s regenerative medicine advancements and improved training methods, it is well within my realm to return by next summer.”

The former UFC double champ also added on X that despite the injury, he can walk without a crutch, which is a good sign.

“I am walking without a crutch. I did leg extension machine work the other day with no issue. So I can walk without aid, and activate my quad under resistance. All very positive. I am disciplined and have maintained it fully since the bout. I wonder whether I was saved from something worse here. I believe so. I would have attended the after-party as “the man,” and who knows then. I believe I was saved. Thank you, God! On we go, no sad stories. Thank you for the support and well wishes, everyone; your health is your wealth ”

Check out Conor McGregor’s comments below:

When McGregor returns, he wants Max Holloway again and has said that his return opponent “has to be Holloway,” especially after how UFC 329 ended. The Hawaiian is also ready to wait until 2027.

However, UFC CEO Dana White has refrained from commenting on a potential Holloway vs. McGregor 3 bout and will only discuss the matchup once “The Notorious” is fully healed and ready to train full-time.

Check out Dana White’s comments about Conor McGregor below:

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