UFC 330 brought renewed attention to the long-running Dagestan-Ireland rivalry as Islam Makhachev faced Ian Machado Garry in a highly anticipated main event. Despite Garry’s confidence in his takedown defence, Makhachev quickly exposed a weakness, landing a head kick before completing a single-leg takedown just a minute into the opening round. The champion continued to control the grappling exchanges, while another head kick in the second round helped him take Garry down and dominate the remainder of the frame.
Garry responded strongly in the third and fourth rounds, finding success with his striking and improving his takedown defence. However, Makhachev regained control in the fifth after taking Garry’s back and staying there until the final bell, earning a unanimous decision victory and retaining his title. Makhachev reportedly earned an estimated $4.14 million for the fight, while Garry took home around $2.061 million.
Why Did Islam Makhachev Earn Far Less Than Conor McGregor Despite Winning the Title?
In the UFC, being a dominant champion does not automatically guarantee the biggest paycheck. Fighter earnings are heavily influenced by commercial value, pay-per-view appeal and the ability to generate ticket sales and mainstream attention. Conor McGregor has built that kind of star power, reportedly earning around $30 million for major appearances, while Islam Makhachev’s reported fight earnings are closer to $4 million, putting McGregor’s pay several times higher.
The gap largely comes down to McGregor’s extraordinary ability to drive revenue. His fights attract casual viewers as well as hardcore MMA fans, helping boost PPV numbers, live gates and global media interest. He has also secured significant negotiating power through his status as one of the UFC’s biggest-ever stars, allowing him to command deals and revenue opportunities that most champions cannot match.
Makhachev, meanwhile, has built an outstanding sporting résumé through his long unbeaten run and championship success, but his commercial pull has not reached McGregor’s historic level. The UFC’s business model means fighters are rewarded not only for what they achieve inside the Octagon but also for how much money they can generate outside it, which explains why even a dominant champion like Makhachev can earn far less than a superstar such as McGregor.
What Happened in Conor McGregor’s Last UFC Fight?
Conor McGregor’s latest UFC appearance ended abruptly at UFC 329 on July 11, 2026, when he suffered a TKO loss to Max Holloway after just 69 seconds. McGregor came out aggressively and attempted a flying high kick, but landed awkwardly on his right leg, causing his knee to buckle. He tried to continue despite the injury, but his leg gave way again, forcing the referee to stop the fight.
McGregor was later diagnosed with damage to his right ACL and meniscus and underwent successful surgery in California. He has since begun rehabilitation and is reportedly making rapid progress, but he is expected to remain sidelined for the rest of 2026. The former two-division champion is targeting a return in 2027, when he is expected to compete in the final fight of his UFC contract.
