Ian Garry backs Conor McGregor to beat Max Holloway

Ian Garry has thrown his public support behind Conor McGregor, predicting the Irish star will defeat Max Holloway in their upcoming matchup. The welterweight contender acknowledged Holloway's credentials but argued that McGregor's time away from competition has built a hunger that could tip the scales in his favor.

Holloway enters the fight ranked fourth in the lightweight division and ninth on the pound-for-pound list, carrying a 27-9 record at 34 years old. The Hawaiian striker, who trains out of Gracie Technics, is one of the most prolific offensive forces in MMA history, landing an elite 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. His experience and relentless volume make him a formidable challenge for anyone in the sport.

McGregor, 37, returns to action with a 22-6 record and the kind of name recognition that transcends the sport. The Dubliner operates out of a southpaw stance and brings a 74-inch reach — five inches longer than Holloway's — along with 49 percent striking accuracy from his time competing under the SBG Ireland banner. His 0.67 takedowns per 15 minutes also shows a more complete ground game than many give him credit for.

Garry stopped short of dismissing Holloway, instead framing McGregor's extended layoff as a potential motivational edge rather than a disadvantage.

Why it matters

• Holloway's top-five lightweight ranking means a McGregor win would immediately reshape the division's landscape
• McGregor's lengthy absence from the octagon makes this one of the most scrutinized comeback fights in recent memory
• The stylistic contrast — Holloway's relentless volume versus McGregor's southpaw precision and longer reach — sets up a compelling striking chess match
• Garry's backing adds a layer of intrigue given his own rising profile in the UFC's welterweight ranks