Ian Garry Explains Why Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway Is Similar to the Hawaiian’s Encounter With Ilia Topuria

Ian Garry explains why a potential Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway clash mirrors Holloway's UFC 308 fight against Ilia Topuria.

Ian Garry Explains Why Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway Is Similar to the Hawaiian’s Encounter With Ilia Topuria

Ian Garry says Conor McGregor v Max Holloway is similar to Ilia Topuria v Holloway [via Instagram and Yahoo Sports]

A lot of parallels have been drawn between Ilia Topuria and Conor McGregor over the years, and rightfully so. They are both UFC double champions who came up in the featherweight division, going undefeated in the weight class. However, Ian Garry has ramped up the comparisons as he claims that McGregor’s upcoming fight against Max Holloway mirrors the Hawaiian’s bout against Topuria.

‘The Notorious’ is preparing to make a comeback after spending 5 years away from the Octagon, nursing a broken shin. He takes on ‘Blessed’ at 170lbs on July 11th during International Fight Week in Las Vegas. The two fought 13 years ago in the featherweight division, with the Road House star getting the victory via decision.

As they gear up to meet in the welterweight division, Garry has opined that his fellow Irishman could take a page out of the recently dethroned lightweight champion’s playbook against Holloway. He believes that the rhythms of both fighters in this matchup are similar to the UFC 308 main event, which saw ‘El Matador’ defend his featherweight title against the former BMF titleholder.

I think it’s very similar to the Ilia fight. I think fans will understand the different rhythms…Max Holloway is more like an Uzi, right? The consistency, the significant strike numbers he has is out of this world. It’s bing, bing, bing, bing, bing. It’s always in your face. It’s constant movement…But he doesn’t have that one-punch power, that shotgun…Conor McGregor always had that shotgun. If that left hand lands, it’s game over.

Ian Garry via the Ariel Helwani Show

Ian Machado Garry then explained to Ariel Helwani what Conor McGregor needs to emulate from Ilia Topuria’s game plan against ‘Blessed.’

If I’m Conor and I walk into that first round and I enter the middle of the octagon and Max hasn’t started to instantly kind of put the pace on him, I’d walk him down. I’d put his back to the cage. I’d go high. I’d go low. I’d keep him guessing. And I’d put everything straight down the middle. Just boom, boom. And then sneak one around the corner when he doesn’t expect it.

Ian Garry added

At UFC 308 back in October 2024, Topuria executed the aforementioned strategy to perfection to hand Max Holloway his first-ever knockout loss. The then-featherweight champion launched a devastating lead hook around the Hawaiian’s guard to send him crashing to the canvas. As one of the sport’s most elite counterstrikers, McGregor definitely has the ability to disrupt Holloway’s combos with such shots.

However, executing against one of the best to ever do it is a tall order, especially after a long layoff. All in all, it will be interesting to see how the Irishman approaches this rematch 13 years in the making. That said, Ian Garry didn’t just break down the upcoming main event. The welterweight title challenger also predicted a winner for the fight between the former featherweights.

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Ian Garry picks Conor McGregor to beat Max Holloway despite a 5-year layoff

Many fighters have expressed concerns over Conor McGregor’s ability to get back in the win column in his return fight against Max Holloway in July. However, Ian Garry is not one of them. The welterweight thinks that McGregor has the edge over his Hawaiian opponent despite coming back to the Octagon after a brutal injury that left him on the shelf for half a decade.

Ian Garry, Conor McGregor
Ian Garry sparring Conor McGregor in Dublin [via The Mirror]

The Irish welterweight backs his fellow countryman to have the power advantage over Holloway in the upcoming bout. He believes that will be the ‘Notorious’ key to victory over the ex-BMF titleholder. Garry wholeheartedly backed the 37-year-old to prevail in the UFC 329 main event.

Absolutely [Conor Mcgregor wins]. It’s not an easy fight…But whilst Conor’s been inactive, the hunger will start to thrive in his mind and in his skull. At 170 pounds, I think this fight’s very, very interesting. Conor’s going to have the knockout power.

Ian Garry via the Ariel Helwani Show

Despite Garry backing McGregor to have the power advantage, Dustin Poirier, who has faced both men, has backed Holloway to carry more power than he did in his previous appearances in this upcoming bout. So, despite the 17-1 fighter’s astute analysis, there are many still many variables that could ultimately swing this fight in favor of either fighter.

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