Conor McGregor is backing his countryman to walk away after UFC 330 as the new UFC welterweight champion.
On Saturday, Ian Machado Garry challenges Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 330. Garry is a sizable underdog against the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, with many people looking past Garry at what comes next for Makhachev, but Garry’s fellow Irishman isn’t one of them.
In a post to his Instagram, McGregor gave his prediction for Saturday’s main event, saying Garry will pull off the upset.
“What’s up, folks! The Mac here to give you my prediction for the Makhachev-Garry fight,” McGregor said. “Let’s go Garry, you know it! He has the tools. He’s been doing great work at SBG. He’s long. He’s definitely going to stay safe; he’s definitely going to be in there.
“Makhachev has pockets where he does a lot of stalling. He still has things to prove in that welterweight division. He does look like he’s grown up into it a bit more. It’s a cracking contest. Of course I’m going with Ian Garry, and I really believe he can do it. For sure he can do it.”
Aside from being countrymen with Garry, McGregor also has some history with Makhachev’s team, and his infamous feud with Khabib Nurmagomedov. How much that might be weighing on McGregor’s prediction is up for debate, but “Notorious” is convinced Garry not only wins, but gets the job done in style.
“How do I see it? Right high kick across the crown of the head, and a victory for the Irish-Brazilian,” McGregor said. “Let’s go, Ian! Rooting for you, bro. Great scrap.
“What round? Late round. This goes late, folks. This goes late, this fight. Great fight, very much looking forward to it.”