Ian Garry backs Conor McGregor to beat Max Holloway

Ian Machado Garry has thrown his public support behind Conor McGregor, stating he believes McGregor would defeat Max Holloway if the two ever met inside the octagon.

Garry, 28, is currently the number-one ranked welterweight and carries a 17-1-0 professional record. Standing six-foot-three with a 74-inch reach, "The Future" has built a reputation as a precise striker, landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 54 percent accuracy rate — among the better marks in his division. The Dublin-born fighter has made no secret of his admiration for McGregor and the connection between the two Irish-linked figures has been well documented.

McGregor, 37, holds a 22-6-0 record and represents SBG Ireland. The southpaw stands five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach and has historically been a high-output striker, averaging 5.32 significant strikes per minute across his career at 49 percent accuracy. He has not competed recently, but his name continues to generate significant attention whenever a potential opponent is discussed.

Holloway, meanwhile, is no easy target for any endorsement to dismiss. The 34-year-old American sits fourth in the lightweight rankings and ninth on the pound-for-pound list with a 27-9-0 record. "Blessed" is one of the most prolific strikers in UFC history, averaging an extraordinary 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. He trains out of Gracie Technics and has cemented himself as one of the sport's elite volume fighters over a long and decorated career.

Why it matters

• Garry's comments add a prominent active fighter's voice to speculation around McGregor's return and potential opponents
• A McGregor vs. Holloway matchup would carry significant divisional and historical weight given both men's striking pedigree
• Holloway's pound-for-pound ranking and McGregor's star power mean any serious discussion around the fight draws immediate attention across multiple weight classes