Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer Khabib
Nurmagomedov believes Islam
Makhachev is in for a tricky outing against Ian
Garry.

Makhachev (28-1) is set to defend his welterweight title for the
first time against Garry (17-1) in the main event of UFC
330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Makhachev's friend and mentor, Nurmagomedov, notes that his protégé
has never faced an opponent as tall as Garry.

Why Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Ian Garry is a difficult
matchup for Islam Makhachev

Nurmagomedov admits that Garry's elusive style is a difficult
puzzle to crack. “The Eagle†further notes that Makhachev, nearing
35, is six years older than Garry. According to the former unbeaten
lightweight champion, the stylistic threat from Garry, combined
with the age difference, makes it a difficult matchup for
Makhachev.

“We've never faced an opponent this tall – 193 cm [6’4″],â€
Nurmagomedov said on the “Smol Talk” podcast. “We’ll have to chase
him, close the distance, grab him, and take him down. It will be a
difficult fight. And Islam is almost 35. The stylistic matchup and
the age together make this a difficult fight… I expect a hard
fight, assuming we don't get an early finish. Spending five rounds
with this opponent won't be easy. The training camp will be
difficult too, first because we have to find someone who can
imitate him.â€

American Kickboxing Academy founder and head coach of the
Dagestani team, Javier Mendez, recently revealed that
Professional Fighters League champion Usman
Nurmagomedov is helping Makhachev by mimicking Garry in
training.

Garry has racked up 10 UFC wins and suffered his lone professional
loss to Shavkat
Rakhmonov, who is sidelined due to an injury. Meanwhile,
Makhachev is undefeated in 16 straight Octagon outings, including
six title fights. The latter is tied with Anderson
Silva for consecutive UFC wins, and a victory at UFC 330 will
see the Dagestani set a new record.

Ultimate Fighting Championship star Conor
McGregor will host a new Fox Nation original series centered
around
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship beginning in 2027.

Fox Nation announced on Monday that it has partnered with the Bare
Knuckle Fighting Championship and BKFC co-owner McGregor for a new
original documentary competition series titled “World’s Baddest
Man.” The show is scheduled to premiere in the summer of 2027 and
will culminate with a live championship finale.

World's Baddest Man' brings Conor McGregor and BKFC together
for a combat sports competition

According to Monday’s announcement, McGregor will serve as the host
and a prominent on-screen presence throughout the new Fox Nation
series as fighters from around the world compete in a bracket-style
tournament for the right to be crowned the “World’s Baddest
Man.”

“Conor McGregor is one of the most recognizable figures in combat
sports, and we’re excited to partner with him on a bold new
original series unlike any other,†Fox Nation President Lauren
Petterson said in a statement. “World’s Baddest Man combines
premium documentary storytelling with world-class competition,
providing Fox Nation subscribers unprecedented access to unique
athletes while showcasing the grit, determination and heart
required to compete for one of the biggest prizes in combat
sports.â€

McGregor believes the series will further elevate BKFC’s
profile.

“BKFC has changed the game of combat sports, and I couldn't be more
excited to partner with Fox Nation and unleash The World's Baddest
Man Tournament,†the former two-division UFC champion said. “This
tournament will bring together the toughest fighters on the planet
in a true test of heart, grit, and willpower, and I'm proud to be
part of something that will set a new standard for what it means to
be the baddest man in the world.â€

The series will blend documentary storytelling with “elite
competition†featuring a diverse roster of Bare Knuckle Fighting
Championship athletes who will battle in a winner-takes-it-all live
championship event.

The series will be produced by Kiss Fly Productions, with McGregor
serving as one of the executive producers.

The search for the World's Baddest Man
begins. 👊🌎

A groundbreaking new BKFC tournament series is coming exclusively
to FOX Nation. The toughest fighters. One tournament. One man left
standing.

This is BKFC's World's Baddest Man.

Stay tuned for more.
#WorldsBaddestMan pic.twitter.com/jrjzeNdn3W

— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc)
July 14, 2026

Conor
McGregor’s return to action in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship ended in disappointment, but
speculation surrounding his next opponent has already begun
following his injury at
UFC 329.

“Notorious†suffered a knee injury on the opening kick he threw in
his rematch against Max
Holloway, who was then declared the victor. BetOnline.ag has
now released odds for McGregor’s next fight, which will serve as
the final bout on the former two-division champion’s current UFC
contract.

Michael Chandler opens as favorite for Conor McGregor's next
fight

Michael
Chandler has opened as the betting favorite at 2/1 to face
McGregor next. The long-discussed matchup between the two former
opposing “The Ultimate Fighter†coaches was originally set to go
down in 2024 before McGregor withdrew because of injury.

A trilogy bout with Holloway follows at 3/1. With their rivalry at
1-1, a rubber match could be on the cards. Moreover, “Blessedâ€
repeatedly called for the same following the Irishman's injury.

Despite not being on the UFC roster, Nate Diaz is
listed third at 5/1. Like Holloway, Diaz is 1-1 with McGregor. The
Stockton native would have to be re-signed by the UFC if a trilogy
is to take place next.

Diaz is followed by Jorge
Masvidal (7/1), Justin
Gaethje (8/1), Paddy
Pimblett (10/1) and Dustin
Poirier (12/1). Both Masvidal and Poirier are retired, but have
hinted at interest in potential Octagon returns.

Meanwhile, former lightweight UFC champion Khabib
Nurmagomedov, who held the title from April 2018 to March 2021,
has the longest odds on the board at 20/1.