Ian Machado Garry has credited a switch to a vegan, plant-based diet five years ago with transforming his UFC career, as he prepares to challenge Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title at UFC 330 on 15 August. The Irish fighter says he previously suffered repeated illnesses and infections from a depleted immune system while cutting weight for fights, but has been injury-free since changing his diet, allowing him to take on and win difficult short-notice bouts.

Since going vegan, Machado Garry has won nine of his next ten fights and says his recovery, training output and weight management have all improved significantly, enabling him to accept fights against Carlos Prates and Shavkat Rakhmonov on just seven days' notice. Should he beat Russia's Makhachev, the 28-year-old would become the UFC's first Irish champion since Conor McGregor. He joins other high-profile vegan athletes, including Lewis Hamilton and Venus Williams, and has partnered with animal rights charity Peta to promote the diet's environmental and welfare benefits, while acknowledging it requires discipline and careful nutrient supplementation.