UFC 298: Ian Garry Wins Split Decision Over Geoff Neal

Undefeated Irish prospect Ian Garry pulls off a victory against long-time ranked welterweight Geoff Neal at UFC 298.

In a stunning upset, rising Irish star Ian Garry emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle against long-time welterweight contender Geoff Neal at UFC 298. This win comes on the heels of Garry's impressive victory over Neil Magny, propelling him further up the ranks and putting him within striking distance of a title shot.

The matchup pitted Garry's orthodox, rangy kickboxing against Neal's southpaw stance and boxing style. From the outset, Garry utilized his teeps and footwork to maintain distance, while Neal attempted to pressure him with limited success. Despite landing a clean right hand and engaging in a clinch, Neal ultimately struggled to gain the upper hand in the first round, with Garry clearly taking the lead.

The second round saw a slower pace, with Neal attempting a takedown against the fence but failing to secure it. Garry continued to control the range and landed effective strikes, while Neal found it challenging to close the distance. Although Neal had some success with uppercuts and power punches in the final minute, Garry maintained control and ended the round with a strong clinch and a body knee.

In the third and final round, Neal put together a few strong combinations, but Garry remained elusive and continued to pick away at him. Despite some criticism from the crowd, Garry's strategic approach paid off, culminating in a massive elbow that forced Neal to retreat just before the bell. The round clearly belonged to Garry.

Ultimately, Ian Garry secured a split decision victory, with two judges awarding him all three rounds and one judge giving Neal the first and second rounds. This hard-fought win solidifies Garry's status as a rising star in the welterweight division and sets the stage for even more exciting matchups in the future.