It’s seven from seven for Ian Machado Garry in the UFC.
The Dubliner, a former Cage Warriors champion, outpointed Geoff Neal on the main card of UFC 298 in Anaheim, California late on Saturday night, winning by 30-27 on two judges’ scorecards. A third judge saw the fight 29-28 in favour of the American welterweight.
The win continues Machado Garry’s ascent up the welterweight rankings ladder as part of his plan which he says will earn him a UFC title shot within his next three fights.
And next up on the Irishman’s radar? Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington.
“He doesn’t have a choice,” Machado Garry said of the three-time former UFC welterweight tile challenger. “He’s lost three title fights. He doesn’t have a choice. Sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt, but there is no other f*cking option for him. Who else are they gonna put? He’s not going to sign the fight grapplers, that’s for sure.
“He’s going to do what he’s f*cking told, and he’s going to fight a young upcoming prospect, so I can f*cking take him out of the division, wipe him off the top 15, and the UFC can go, ‘Great. Right. That’s been great. Let’s take that and run with it.’”
Machado Garry has floated the idea of a possible bout with Covington serving as the co-main event to Conor McGregor’s upcoming bout with Michael Chandler — something he says that Covington will be unable to turn down if he intends to maintain his place near the summit of the division.
“I don’t believe he’s in a position to be picking and choosing his fights,” Machado Garry said. “If he wants to fight, he’s going to do what he’s told, and I’m sure Hunter and Dana will tell him that.”
