Ian Machado Garry thinks his fellow countryman merits a spot alongside Jon Jones and two other UFC legends.
Garry is looking to follow in the footsteps of Conor McGregor by becoming the latest Irish fighter to reach global stardom in combat sports and bring UFC gold back to the nation.
Since starting his journey on MMA’s biggest stage back in 2021, ‘The Future’ has described the former two-division champion as his idol. The pair evidently share a strong relationship, with McGregor often sending Garry positive messages in the aftermath of his fights.
With that in mind, it’s not surprising that the welterweight contender holds ‘The Notorious’ in high regard. So high, in fact, that he would reserve a spot on his MMA Mount Rushmore for the controversial Dubliner.
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Ian Machado Garry chooses Conor McGregor over the likes of Demetrious Johnson on his MMA Mount Rushmore
Garry became the latest prominent name to make their Mount Rushmore picks during an interview with Games Hub.
The Irishman did not stray too far from the norm with three of his picks, choosing leading GOAT contender Jon Jones, welterweight icon Georges St-Pierre, and legendary middleweight Anderson Silva.
The likes of Demetrious Johnson, Fedor Emelianenko, and Khabib Nurmagomedov are among those often vying for the widely debated fourth spot. Garry, though, would snub multiple greats to fit in ‘The Notorious’.
“Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre,” Garry began. “I have to put Conor McGregor on that because there is no one that influenced the world to the sport more than that man. And I believe that that is a value that is so important.
“He did like eight, one-million buy (pay-per-views) in a row, which is unheard of. I think Conor would have to (be) put on there from a bigger standpoint than just Mount Rushmore, but what he did for the sport everyone else should be grateful for.
“Then the final one, based on technique and just championship mindset, I would say Anderson Silva,” Garry continued. “So GSP, Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, and Conor McGregor.”
Conor McGregor also makes Dana White’s Mount Rushmore, but Anderson Silva does not
Garry is not alone with his McGregor selection, with Dana White also including the polarizing Irishman in his group of four. The UFC CEO does, however, differ in a shock way.
Jones, Silva, and St-Pierre are often seen as the core three on most selections. White’s MMA Mount Rushmore, though, does not feature ‘The Spider’.
Instead of the Brazilian legend, the 56-year-old controversially chose Ronda Rousey during a 2024 interview with ESPN.
“You’ve got to go with Ronda Rousey because women would not be fighting in the UFC if it were not for her. You would have to put GSP in there as well, and absolutely, positively, Conor McGregor. He elevated and changed the game globally.”