By:
Paul Kelly
Both Ian Machado Garry and Paul Hughes have been officially ranked as two of the best MMA fighters in the world under the age of 30.
ESPN has ranked the top 30 MMA fighters under the age of 30, with the Irishmen both making the list.
Ian Machado Garry Ranked Sixth Best MMA Fighter Under 30
UFC welterweight star Ian Machado Garry has been ranked as the sixth best MMA fighter under the age of 30 in the world.
Garry, who is currently ranked as the #2 contender in the UFC’s 170-pound division, is the fifth highest ranked UFC fighter on the list and sixth overall.
The 28-year-old is closing in on a UFC Welterweight Title shot, with pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev currently holding that belt. After beating former champion Belal Muhammad last time out, Garry has UFC gold in his sights.
Lightweight contender Jalin Turner recently credited Garry after training alongside the Irishman, and it seems his talents are recognised worldwide, including by ESPN’s panel who selected this list.
The only fighters ranked above Garry in the best MMA fighters in the world under the age of 30 are Ilia Topuria, Dakota Ditcheva, Joshua Van, Jack Della Maddalena and Michael Morales.
ESPN ranked the top 30 MMA fighters under 30:
1. Ilia Topuria, 28
2. Dakota Ditcheva, 27
3. Joshua Van, 24
4. Jack Della Maddalena, 29
5. Michael Morales, 26
6. Ian Machado Garry, 28
7. Usman Nurmagomedov, 27
8. Umar Nurmagomedov, 29
9. Natalia Silva, 28
10. Arman Tsarukyan, 29… pic.twitter.com/pVKdP1wvK6— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 9, 2025
Paul Hughes Ranked 16th Best MMA Fighter Under 30
Ian Machado Garry isn’t the only Irishman ranked inside the top 30 best MMA fighters under the age of 30.
PFL lightweight contender Paul Hughes is ranked as the 16th best MMA fighter in the world under 30.
Despite still fighting in the PFL and having never won a world championship belt, the Belfast man is evidently highly respected by MMA officials and fans all around the world.
Hughes did of course challenge Usman Nurmagomedov for his PFL lightweight crown twice, losing close points decisions on both occasions.
Hughes’ stock rose in defeat both times, with many people feeling it’s only a matter of time before the 28-year-old gets his hand on a world title of some sort.
Should the former Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion manage to get his hands on a world championship belt, he could well climb inside the top 10 of this list.
Paul Hughes Third Best Non-UFC Fighter Under 30
As well as being ranked 16th in the best MMA fighters under 30 list, Paul Hughes is in fact the third best MMA fighter not signed to the UFC on the list.
ESPN’s list includes fighters from all MMA promotions, whether that be the UFC, PFL, Bellator or others. Only two PFL fighters on the list are ranked above Hughes.
Female MMA star Dakota Ditcheva is ranked as the second best MMA fighter in the world under 30, with Hughes’ former foe Usman Nurmagomedov ranked seventh.
They are the only two non-UFC signed MMA fighters ranked above ‘Big News’ on ESPN’s list.
This goes to show the talent Ireland can produce on the world stage in MMA. Conor McGregor set the precedent, with the likes of Ian Machado Garry and Paul Hughes following in his footsteps.
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