Ian Machado Garry can see the comparison being made with his upcoming title fight to Conor McGregor's game-changing win over Jose Aldo.

Garry is set to challenge for UFC gold for the first time on Aug. 15. “The Future†will be meeting welterweight titleholder Islam Makhachev inside the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Garry had long pounded the table for a crack at the 170-pound title, and wins over Belal Muhammad, Carlos Prates, and Michael Page earned him the shot.

Makhachev is currently the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on the UFC roster, and he hasn't suffered a loss since 2015. He is a surefire future Hall of Famer and has held gold in two weight classes. Garry, a rising Irish star, is aware that some have compared his ascension leading up to UFC 330 to McGregor's road to knocking Aldo out in a matter of seconds back in late 2015.

In an interview with High Performance, Garry discussed the parallels, and he doesn't necessarily disagree (via Red Corner MMA).

“I've had a lot of pressure from the outside world, from the fans and the sport itself, to be the star and hype that Conor McGregor set. I've had a lot of comparisons to Conor due to the fact that we're both from Ireland.

When Conor fought for his first UFC title, he fought the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, who hadn't been beaten in a decade, and he knocked him out in 13 seconds. My next opponent is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.â€

Going into UFC 330, Garry hovers around at +280 as the underdog. McGregor was actually a slight betting favorite before his career-defining moment against Aldo. The deck is certainly stacked against Garry, but he isn't short on confidence.

What chance do you give Ian Machado Garry of overcoming the odds against Islam Makhachev? Join the conversation in the comments below.

Alexandre Pantoja thinks Joshua Van has handled himself well as the UFC Flyweight Champion, but he wants to settle things with the bruiser from Myanmar.

Pantoja has been out of action since suffering an injury early in his late 2025 tilt with Van. Going into the bout, Pantoja was the reigning 125-pound titleholder, but he suffered a freak injury when he landed badly on his arm and suffered a dislocation after Van caught a kick attempt. Van was awarded the UFC Flyweight Championship.

During an interview with MMAFighting.com, Pantoja said he's cleared to get back in action, and he plans to challenge for the title he held for over two years.

“I'm ready,†Pantoja said. “After December, what happened to my arm, two days after that, I went to the gym, started training with just one arm. That's who I am. I'm not done. I'm not done. I have so much to conquer. I have so much to prove. And when you have the belt, your words [mean more]. I want to take the belt again. I want to be UFC champion one more time and keep talking to good things, about the world and things I saw in my life, make people happy. That's what I want.â€

Pantoja has nothing but praise for Van, lauding the champion's efforts in his TKO finish over Tatsuro Taira back in May. Even so, Pantoja doesn't feel that Van truly defeated him, and he wants a definitive answer when the two eventually collide in a rematch.

“Of course, I have unfinished business with Joshua Van. Like, as an athlete, I know I lost the fight. That happened. But like a man, I don't think he beat me.â€

Who would you favor in a rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja? Let your voice be heard in the comments below.

Conor Benn doesn't have the same beef with Ryan Garcia he had with Chris Eubank Jr., but the two aren't exactly friends, either.