Makhachev and Ian Garry face off before their fight at the UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/UFC
One of the most important and anticipated events of the year takes place this Saturday (15), in Philadelphia, with a main duel worthy of comparison to the fights fought by Rocky Balboa on the big screen. Leader of the Ultimate pound-for-pound ranking, Islam Makhachev tries to defend the welterweight belt (up to 77,1 kg) for the first time against Irishman Ian Garry at UFC 330. Together, the two have 45 wins and only two losses. However, another factor has made the confrontation even more interesting.
Although this is the first time the two will meet in the world's most famous octagon, the UFC itself has been promoting the duel as a kind of second chapter in the most-watched fight in MMA history. This is because Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov 's training partner , will share the octagon with an Irishman heavily influenced by Conor McGregor.
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Although those involved avoided comparisons between the duels, the event's Countdown featured excerpts from the Khabib-McGregor rivalry in the opening minutes. At the time, over two million pay-per-view packages were sold for the fight at UFC 229 in October 2018. The Russian won by submission in the fourth round and successfully defended his lightweight title (up to 70,3 kg) for the first time.
UFC kicked off the Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Garry countdown with footage from Khabib vs. McGregor, reigniting the legendary Dagestan vs. Ireland rivalry.
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— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 9, 2026
This isn't the first time a title fight at a major MMA event has been compared to the duel between these two stars of the sport. However, is such a comparison possible? Therefore, SUPER LUTAS has provided a brief summary of their respective careers.
Is there a comparison? Draw your own conclusions.
Islam makhachev
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev are friends and training partners. Photo: Reproduction.
Currently ranked number one in the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings, Makhachev has been Khabib's training partner since childhood. Close friends, the reigning champion was in his compatriot's corner during the main event of UFC 229, when the fight with McGregor ended in a general brawl at the T-Mobile Arena.
With the Eagle's retirement in 2020, Islam Makhachev 's rise was not only expected by the Dagestan Clan, but part of a grand plan formulated by the team's founder. Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib's father, projected that Islam would reach the top of the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg) soon after his son's retirement. Although the plan came to fruition, the coach could not witness his pupil's achievement, as he was one of the victims of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to winning the lightweight title (up to 70,3 kg) by submitting Charles do Bronx , he became the fighter with the most successful title defenses in the history of the category until he vacated the title to attempt another conquest at 77 kg, a dream realized last November with a victory against Jack Della Maddalena.
Ian Gary
Teenage Ian Garry and Conor McGregor in 2014. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.
Unlike the relationship between Makhachev and Nurmagomedov, Ian Garry and Conor McGregor never became teammates or even personal friends. However, McGregor's strong influence on the challenger's career is undeniable. As a teenager, the Future even took a picture with his idol, a curious glimpse of what was to come. Years later, when Garry was winning his first fights in the UFC, he even paraphrased McGregor during some of his interviews.
However, the similarities end there. Unlike the first double champion in Ultimate history, who continued training in his native country, Garry settled in Brazil. In addition to marrying and having a child with a Brazilian woman, the athlete became a member of Chute Boxe Diego Lima, becoming a training partner of names like Charles do Bronx.
Dagestan has been gaining an advantage against Ireland outside of the UFC.
Khabib and Usman Nurmagomedov backstage at the PFL. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/PFL
Just like the UFC, the PFL sought to promote the duel between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes as a new chapter in the rivalry created in 2018. Despite not having the same atmosphere of animosity, the result was the same. The Russian won both fights by unanimous decision and remained the king of the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg). With his contract ending in Jake Paul 's organization , it is expected that Khabib's cousin will sign with the Ultimate in the future.
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