UFC 298 results: Calculated Ian Garry splits tough Geoff Neal, calls out Colby Covington

Geoff Neal and Ian Garry — top-ranked Welterweight contenders with a nasty blood grudge to settle — clashed throughout UFC 298’s pay-per-view (PPV) principal card TONIGHT (Sat., Feb. 17, 2024) inside Honda Middle in Anaheim, California.

It’s been 11 months since blended martial arts (MMA) witnessed the gutsy efficiency from “Handz of Metal” in his “Battle of the 12 months”-nominated showdown towards undefeated 170-pound boogeyman, Shavkat Rakhmonov, a back-and-forth battle that left followers on the sting of their seats (watch highlights). Throughout that point, Neal had time to consider all of the issues he would do to “The Future” the second he obtained his arms on the outspoken Irishman. Garry, in the meantime, has needed to take care of a severe sickness that reduce his 2023 marketing campaign brief, in addition to a firestorm of drama associated to his marriage.

Regardless of the distractions, Garry, 26, stays an simple power, sustaining his standing as a promising prospect and a formidable rising star in UFC. And true to type, Garry maintained his composure for quarter-hour en path to an odd cut up resolution win.

Garry was showered with boos throughout his in-ring introduction, however he has been all week, so simply add extra gasoline to the fireplace. “The Future” got here out in his Orthodox stance, with Neal bouncing in Southpaw. Garry with a pleasant entrance kick, utilizing his appreciable size early to take care of his most well-liked distance. Garry uncorked a pleasant excessive kick, which Neal blocked at actually the last-minute. After about one minute. Neal dropped his arms and reset, irritated that he needed to chase Garry with nothing to point out for it. Good physique shot from Garry, then a pleasant proper hand moments later as Neal began to land inside low kicks. Straight proper hand from Garry, then a query mark kick, which was blocked. Neal lastly blitzed Garry, main with a tough left hand after which modified ranges alongside the fence. The pair grappled for place, with Garry finally turning Neal and attempting to interrupt free, solely to land together with his again towards the fence as soon as once more after a quick scramble. Huge kick to the physique from Garry on the break, adopted with a crisp proper hand. Garry actually began to make use of his legs down the stretch, with Neal chasing him. Stable spherical for Garry.

Neal got here out for spherical two with slightly extra function, however Garry continued to make use of his legs to dictate the tempo of the battle. With one minute within the can, Neal was capable of shut the space and pressed Garry up towards the cage as soon as extra. After a quick scuffle, Garry broke free as soon as extra and nailed Neal with a tough knee to the physique. Neal countered with a pleasant left hand upstairs however that was it halfway via the spherical. Good proper hand from Neal, adopted by one other clinch, which result in … one other stalemate. Neal walked in with a straight left hand, which appeared to create some blood round Garry’s mouth. Extra kicks from Garry as he circled the cage together with his large wingspan. Kick to the physique, then one other knee, however Neal by some means remained unfazed. Good little mixture from Neal on the finish, however that was a really tough spherical to attain.

Third and closing body and Neal’s nook implored him to proceed placing collectively his combos (not clinching alongside the fence). Garry was chirping fairly loud earlier than the motion obtained began as Neal missed with one punch and … went proper again to the fence with Garry. It wasn’t for lengthy — one other massive physique kick from Garry, with Neal responding with a good mixture. Inside leg kick from Neal, with Garry countering with a flurry of left arms upstairs. Neal tried one other blitz, however it as soon as once more led to a clinch alongside the cage. Garry began to perk up halfway via the spherical, however Garry bounced a tough left hand off his brow and his tune modified. Large knee from Garry — his largest one of many match — after which one other exhausting kick to Neal’s midsection. With about 90 seconds on the clock, the gang started to voice it’s collective displeasure, maybe upset that Garry continues to be aware … and successful.

And that’s precisely what he did — win. It wasn’t fairly, it wasn’t tremendous flashy … it was calculated and methodical. And it inches Garry as soon as step nearer to a spot within the High 5 rankings — and a Colby Covington showdown — shifting ahead.

Take care of it.

Ultimate outcome: Garry def. Neal by way of cut up resolution

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