McGregor open to fighting Ian Machado Garry if Garry wins welterweight title at UFC 330

Conor McGregor has indicated he would be comfortable appearing beneath fellow Irishman Ian Machado Garry on a card, provided Garry first defeats welterweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 on August 15.

McGregor, 37, carries a 22-6 record and remains one of the most recognizable figures in the sport despite his lengthy absence from competition. Fighting out of SBG Ireland, the southpaw stands five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach and has historically generated significant striking volume, landing 5.32 significant strikes per minute across his career.

Makhachev enters UFC 330 as the reigning welterweight champion, holding a 28-1 record at 34 years old. The Russian, who trains with Eagles MMA, is a compact five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach. He is a well-rounded threat, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 58 percent striking accuracy rate — the highest among the three fighters mentioned in this story.

Standing in his way is Garry, the number-one ranked welterweight contender. Known as "The Future," the 28-year-old Irishman is unbeaten in the UFC at 17-1 overall and presents a stark stylistic contrast to Makhachev. At six-foot-three with a 74-inch reach, Garry relies heavily on his striking, averaging 4.78 significant strikes per minute.

Why it matters

• A Garry title win would set up a rare all-Irish headlining dynamic, with McGregor's co-main event presence adding enormous commercial weight.
• Makhachev defending would reaffirm his position as the pound-for-pound number-one fighter in the world, with Garry needing to solve elite grappling with his length and output.
• McGregor's public willingness to play a supporting card role signals a potential comeback timeline tied directly to the UFC 330 outcome.