IRELAND’S IAN MACHADO Garry will return to the Octagon for a career-altering test against eighth-ranked welterweight Geoff Neal at UFC 292 in Boston.
Dubliner Garry, 12-0 in professional MMA (5-0 in the UFC), produced a career-best display last time out, disposing of Daniel Rodgriguez inside a round. The 25-year-old will step up to the fringes of championship level against Neal (15-5) on 19 August.
American Neal has beaten several vaunted welters including, most recently, Garry’s teammate Vicente Luque whom he stopped in three rounds last August.
In his most recent fight in March, Neal, 32, gave one of the UFC’s leading prospects, Shavkat Rakhmonov, the toughest test of his career before being submitted in the third round.
A win for Malahide man Garry would most likely see him enter the UFC’s top-10 rankings at 170 pounds.
That’s such a tough fight for Garry. Respect to him for taking it
@Ian O’Boyle: this will determine whether he is up there with Mystic Mac or not.. massive respect for taking this fight.
*170 pounds
Big test, Neal’s beaten Belal Muhammad, Ponzinibbio and Vincent Luque to name but a few top fighters. Ian will have the reach advantage though and will look to circle and pick from the outside like he did against Rodriguez. Good fight this one fingers crossed for him.
Hope I’m wrong bit think this is about 2 to 3 fights too soon for garry huge step up but hope he proves me wrong