Walk into any pub in Dublin or Belfast on a Saturday night when the prelims are starting, and you’ll hear the same thing. People still talk about 2014. They talk about that night in the 3Arena when the "Irish Invasion" actually felt like a real, tangible thing and not just a marketing slogan.
But it’s 2026 now. Things have changed.
The era of one man carrying the entire tricolour on his back is fading into the rearview mirror. Honestly, if you’re still looking at Irish fighters in UFC through the lens of 2016 Conor McGregor, you’re missing the actual story. The landscape is weirder, more spread out, and frankly, more professional than it used to be.
The Ian Machado Garry Conundrum
Let’s talk about Ian. Or "The Future," if you’re into the nicknames.
As of January 2026, Ian Machado Garry is sitting at #3 in the welterweight rankings. That’s a massive deal. He’s 17-1, with that lone blemish being a razor-thin decision loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov back at UFC 310. Most people expected him to crumble after that, but he didn't. He went out and beat Carlos Prates in a five-round masterclass in April 2025 and followed it up by outpointing Belal Muhammad in November.
It’s funny. Irish fans have a complicated relationship with him. He’s not the "local lad from SBG" archetype. He’s training out of Chute Boxe in Brazil. He’s polished. He’s a bit of a lightning rod for drama.
But results don't lie.
While everyone was waiting for the "next McGregor," Garry decided to just be the first Ian Machado Garry. His striking accuracy is hovering around 54%, and his takedown defense is a massive 80%. He isn't just a knockout artist; he’s a tactical nightmare who has figured out how to win minutes without taking damage.
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Why the "Invasion" stalled (and why that's okay)
For a while, it felt like every time a kid from Dublin won a Cage Warriors belt, they were destined for UFC gold. We saw Cathal Pendred, Paddy Holohan, and Neil Seery give everything they had. They were warriors. Absolute dogs.
But the game evolved.
The UFC roster became a shark tank where "heart" isn't enough anymore. You need elite wrestling. You need a 24/7 scientific approach to recovery. For a few years, the pipeline from the Irish regional scene to the Octagon slowed to a trickle.
We had a bit of a dry spell.
Now, we’re seeing a different kind of Irish fighter emerging. Look at Caolan Loughran. "The Don" had a rocky start losing to Taylor Lapilus in Paris, but he’s currently on a three-fight win streak. He’s 13-2 now. He’s not trying to be a superstar overnight. He’s a grinder. He went to London in March 2025 and gutted out a split decision against Nathan Fletcher. It wasn't pretty. It was effective.
The Women Leading the Charge
Shauna Bannon—"Mama B"—is doing something nobody else is doing right now. She’s the only Irish woman on the roster in 2026.
She’s 7-1.
Her win at UFC London last year was probably the highlight of the Irish MMA calendar. She got dropped by a head kick from Puja Tomar, looked like she was done, and then pulled an armbar out of nowhere in the second round. That’s the kind of resilience that defines the new generation. She’s not just there to fill a spot; she’s actively hunting the Top 15 in the strawweight division.
What Really Happened With Conor?
We have to address it. You can't talk about Irish fighters in UFC without the Notorious-shaped elephant in the room.
It’s 2026, and Conor McGregor is... well, he’s a BKFC owner who occasionally tweets about fighting. He’s currently coming off an 18-month suspension for missed anti-doping tests. There’s talk about him fighting on a "White House" card in June 2026, but Dana White has been cagey.
Dana literally said a few days ago that the Michael Chandler fight is "not part of current plans."
Is he ever coming back? Maybe. He’s 22-6 and hasn't won a fight in years. But the influence he had on the sport in Ireland is permanent. Every kid in a gym in Tallaght or Cork is there because of what he did between 2013 and 2016. Whether he ever makes the walk again almost doesn't matter for the ecosystem. The infrastructure is already built.
The New Pipeline: Cage Warriors 200 and Beyond
If you want to know who the next Irish fighters in UFC will be, you have to look at Cage Warriors.
The upcoming CW 200 in Dublin is the real litmus test.
- Paddy McCorry: He’s the guy everyone is watching. He’s looking to take the middleweight title from Dario Bellandi.
- Ger Harris: A flyweight who is essentially a human highlight reel.
- Paul Hughes: While he’s currently killing it in PFL, his trajectory shows exactly how the modern Irish fighter negotiates their worth.
The days of taking any contract just to get in the door are over. These guys are smart. They know their value.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following the Irish scene in 2026, here is how you should actually be looking at these athletes:
- Stop betting on the "Hype": The new crop of Irish fighters like Loughran and Bannon are grinders. They often win close decisions rather than 13-second KOs.
- Watch the Gym Shifts: Notice that Garry isn't at SBG. The top Irish talent is diversifying where they train. If a fighter is moving to American Top Team or Kill Cliff, their wrestling is about to jump two levels.
- The Bantamweight Shark Tank: Watch the 135lb division. This is where the most Irish talent is currently clustered in the European regional scene. It’s the hardest path to the UFC, but it produces the most battle-hardened fighters.
The reality is that Irish MMA isn't a "movement" anymore. It’s an industry. It’s less about the luck of the Irish and more about the high-performance centers and the grueling rounds in regional shows. The "Invasion" didn't end; it just became a permanent occupation.
Keep an eye on the June 2026 cards. Whether McGregor is on them or not, the new guard is already there, and they aren't leaving.