With Islam Makhachev set to face Ian Garry and Conor McGregor booked against Max Holloway, a win for both could position McGregor for a championship bout against Makhachev.
Reports suggest a blockbuster welterweight title scenario is taking shape, with Islam Makhachev scheduled to defend against Ian Garry while Conor McGregor is booked to face Max Holloway — a combination of results that could, according to unconfirmed reports, position McGregor for a shot at Makhachev's championship. Nothing has been officially confirmed, and the entire pathway remains speculative at this stage.
Makhachev, 34, is the reigning welterweight champion and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings with a 28-1-0 record. The Russian southpaw out of Eagles MMA is one of the most dominant grapplers in the sport, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate. His submission threat is constant, averaging 1.1 attempts per 15 minutes, making him exceptionally difficult to neutralize over the course of a full fight.
McGregor, also a southpaw, carries a 22-6-0 record into his reported bout with Holloway. The 37-year-old Irishman out of SBG Ireland is a high-volume striker who lands 5.32 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy, and his 74-inch reach — among the longer in the division — remains one of his most notable physical assets.
Holloway, ranked fourth in the lightweight division and ninth pound-for-pound, brings a 27-9-0 record and one of the busiest striking outputs in the sport at 7.2 significant strikes per minute. The 34-year-old American out of Gracie Technics has faced elite competition throughout his career and represents a serious obstacle for McGregor should the matchup materialize.
Why it matters
- A Makhachev title defense against Garry keeps the welterweight championship picture in flux heading into late 2026.
- McGregor versus Holloway pits a returning star against a proven pound-for-pound contender with elite striking volume.
- If both reported winners align, an unconfirmed title pathway for McGregor would carry massive commercial weight given his global profile.
- Stylistically, a McGregor-Makhachev matchup would contrast McGregor's striking with Makhachev's elite grappling and submission game.
