Conor McGregor’s UFC Welterweight Title Plan Spells Bad News For Fellow Irishman Ian Garry

After revealing his plans of returning to the octagon and winning the UFC Welterweight Title, Conor McGregor’s plan is bad news for Ian Machado Garry.

Garry has his sights firmly set on Islam Makhachev and the 170-pound belt, but McGregor’s plan would scupper Garry’s chances of fighting for the belt.

Conor McGregor UFC Return Could Spell Bad News For Ian Garry

Conor McGregor’s UFC White House return is looking increasingly likely, with the Irishman adamant he will be fighting on the South Lawn come June 14.

It also looks likely that Michael Chandler will be in the opposite corner of the octagon, with the pair finally locking horns in the cage after years of fights falling through, broken promises and huge let downs.

If McGregor does indeed return at UFC White House next summer and secures a win, he will be right back in the mix for a shot at UFC gold almost immediately.

Although he won’t necessarily deserve it, the sheer star power and draw the former two-division king brings would all but guarantee him a title shot.

Conor McGregor wants to be the first three-division UFC champion, eying a matchup against Islam Makhachev. 🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/VZX8OUV39q

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 5, 2025

It seems that McGregor will campaign at welterweight upon his return, which happens to be the division ruled by former foe Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protégé Islam Makhachev.

The Dagestani fighter currently rules at 170-pounds, meaning McGregor would have to fight him and beat him if he was to become the first three-division UFC champion in history.

There are several other fighters currently in the welterweight division far more deserving of a shot at Makhachev, but if McGregor’s return is successful at UFC White House, he may well get the call to face Makhachev at the back end of the year.

It seems totally absurd to even think for a second that ‘Notorious’ could fight for UFC gold in 2026.

However, he has maintained a strong relationship with UFC President Dana White, meaning it isn’t totally beyond the realms of possibility that he gets fast-tracked to the 170-pound belt.

Although this would be monumental for Irish MMA and McGregor, it would be terrible news for Ian Machado Garry.

https://twitter.com/ChampRDS/status/1992328250492924112

Both McGregor and Garry Want UFC Welterweight Title Shot In 2026

Ian Garry has made it abundantly clear that he wants and deserves a shot at the UFC Welterweight Title next.

‘The Future’ defeated former champion Belal Muhammad last time out, rising to number two in the 170-pound rankings in the process. The only fighter ranked above him is Jack Della Maddalena, who Islam Makhachev beat with ease to become the welterweight king.

In theory, this means that Garry should be next in line for a shot at Makhachev and the 170-pound belt. However, we all know that things don’t always work out as straight-forward and fair, especially in MMA when the biggest cash cow the sport has ever seen is also in the conversation.

Garry is ranked as the sixth best MMA fighter under 30 in ESPN’s recent list, and looks destined for a shot at the belt in 2026. He may well get his shot next, but could also miss out if Conor McGregor returns at UFC White House and is then granted a shot at Makhachev and the belt later in the year.

Ian Machado Garry's message Islam Makhachev: Our countries have history in the game. The biggest rivalry in the sport. You're Khabib's protege. I'm McGregor's protege. Let's run it back for that welterweight world title. pic.twitter.com/DgCGEoKFLH

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) November 23, 2025

Garry’s loss could well turn out to be McGregor’s gain, even though ‘The Future’ is far more deserving of a shot at the welterweight belt.

Either way, it looks like there could be an Irishman challenging Islam Makhachev for the UFC Welterweight Title at some stage in 2026.

Whether that be Ian Garry, who deserves it and has called Makhachev out on countless occasions recently, or indeed Conor McGregor, who of course has history with Makhachev and his team.

Intriguing times in the world of MMA, in particular the welterweight division and two of Ireland’s best fighters potentially getting in each other’s way.

Islam Makhachev on Conor McGregor:

“He will never be the same as he was before the fight with Khabib. He can't forget”

“The most he can do is hit an old man in a bar, get into a squabble with a woman, spit on people. That is all he is capable of at the moment.”

via @MatchTV pic.twitter.com/ERO9ieupR4

— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) February 13, 2025