Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/NurPhoto

Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor defended Ian Machado Garry from a swirl of fan hate ahead of UFC 330.

UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry is looking to add to a year of upsets when he faces welterweight champion Islam Makhachev later this month at UFC 330. Garry earned the title shot after recent wins over former champion Belal Muhammad and knockout artist Carlos Prates.

Ahead of the biggest fight of his career, Garry hasn’t exactly ingratiated himself with the UFC fanbase. Some of his recent media interviews have been criticized by fans, especially after claiming that the world would be ‘better if run by women’.

Garry’s recent marketing partnership with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wasn’t exactly well received either. Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub claimed Garry’s recent media tour is some of the ‘worst interviews he’s ever seen’ by a top fighter.

Despite getting hate from all angles, Garry has the strong backing of UFC superstar Conor McGregor ahead of UFC 330.

Conor McGregor hits back at Ian Machado Garry’s haters ahead of UFC 330

In a recent Instagram comment on a post alluding to some of Garry’s recent media appearances, McGregor appeared to defend Garry from a growing group of haters.

“Kid is a stud, and I back him to become champion!” McGregor said.

McGregor’s UFC 329 comeback fight ended in another brutal leg injury suffered against Max Holloway. Despite the injury, McGregor is aiming to return to the Octagon next summer, potentially for a Holloway trilogy bout.

In the meantime, McGregor will keep a keen eye on Garry’s performance in the Octagon at UFC 330. While Garry hasn’t received glowing endorsements from fans ahead of UFC 330, McGregor is firmly behind him.

What is your prediction for Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM