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Conor McGregor hails Ian Machado Garry after inspiring him to take up MMA… and backs UFC star to become world champion
CONOR McGREGOR threw his support to Ian Machado Garry by backing him to become UFC champion - having inspired his career.
Garry has been open about taking up MMA after watching the sensational rise of superstar McGregor.
Now, the welterweight is ranked 13 in the UFC and scored a highlight-reel knockout against Daniel Rodriguez, 36, this month.
It left McGregor, 34, gushing over Garry, 25, and backing the young Irishman to go all the way in the UFC.
He said: "Loved it, was phenomenal. No doubt about it. He's all the way this kid.
"I'd love to see him do it and I believe he can do it and I believe he will do it. I'm rooting for him all the way."
McGregor flew back from America in support of Katie Taylor ahead of her homecoming fight.
Taylor, 36, moves up to super-lightweight to challenge undisputed champion Chantelle Cameron, 32, in Ireland first boxing event since 2014.
And McGregor hailed Ireland's most beloved sports star for inspiring young girls at grassroots boxing level.
He said: "There's so many girls right now in Ireland.
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"In Crumlin Boxing Club - my club - we had our most successful senior championship recently, we had our most medals.
"We sent in 15 competitors and like 11 of them were girls, they were all girls, we had like 13 medalists, gold medalists, it was our most successful senior championships and that was all due to the success and rise of Katie Taylor that has motivated these girls.
"It's happened with my sport as you've seen with Ian Garry, it's come to fruition. The fight game's a beautiful, greatness spurs greatness and on we go."