'I'm winning, undefeated, keep talking' - Ian Machado Garry shuts down fiery crowd after UFC 298 win over Geoff Neal

The future is now for Ian Machado Garry after the Irish welterweight extended his undefeated run to 14 fights with a split decision win over Geoff Neal at UFC 298.

With Neal having withdrawn from their last scheduled meeting in August 2023, Saturday's fight was billed as something of a grudge match.

Neal, a Texas native and UFC veteran, was the heavy favourite among the crowd at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. When the decision was announced in Garry's favour, boos rang out around the venue.

With Joe Rogan holding up the microphone, Garry was unbowed by the crowd's reaction.

He said: "Let them talk, Joe. We're here. Hey, hey, I'm winning, undefeated, living the life, keep talking. Keep talking. You're all here, watching me."

Garry continued, praising his defeated opponent and admitting that a split decision had not shocked him.

He said: "Here's the thing, Geoff Neal hits hard and you've got to give respect to that guy. If not, I've seen him put many men down and I've seen him hit them and take their lights out. That guy's a warrior. He's one of the best in the division for a reason."

Moving to his fight strategy, Garry explained that he had anticipated a long, careful fight.

He said: "Today I knew I might have to take 15 minutes to jab away at him, jab away at him because he's very, very dangerous."

Rogan then suggested to Garry that his run of success should open the way to bigger fights, teeing Garry up to call out his next opponent.

He said: "There's one guy I want next and I've been saying his name all week. His name's Colby 'Chaos' Covington. That guy's on a three-fight skid against world champions."

Turning to face the camera, Garry addressed his next comments directly to Covington.

He said: "I want to retire you from the UFC, Colby. Anywhere, any time. I'm in, but you ain't ready to deal with this.You ain't ready to deal with speed, you ain't ready to deal with the undefeated prospects. I'm going to take you out, I'm going to make you regret everything you ever said."

While the crowd had calmed somewhat as Garry complimented his vanquished foe, this fired them right back up again.

Garry was responding directly to comments made by Covington about the Irishman's wife, sports presenter Layla Anna-Lee, back in December last year after which Covington himself had anticipated being called out.

At the time, Covington said: "I think he probably wants to settle the differences in the Octagon. It just so happens I like to fight in the Octagon, so if it needs to happen one day, I’d be honoured to settle that.”

Whether Garry gets the opportunity to settle things in the Octagon remains to be seen.

Facing the media after the fight, Garry hit back at claims that the fight hadn't lived up to expectations.

He said: "What was listless about it out of curiosity from your point of view? If Geoff Neal was running around throwing bombs at you, what do you do? You'd f****** run."

Garry continued, giving himself the last word on his victory.

He said: "Say what you want, have whatever opinion you want. My hand got raised. I'm breaking records again, I'm doing what I do, and I'm still not done."

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