Midnight Mania! Garry Vs. Neal Promotion Gets UGLY — ‘He’s Dead’

Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

25-year-old Welterweight prospect Ian Garry isn’t afraid to talk some trash. Thus far, he’s backed up his words, as Garry has built up an undefeated (12-0) professional record. Most recently, he stopped Daniel Rodriguez in May 2023 to break into the Top 15. That bout featured some trash talk, but afterward, the two were cordial.

I wouldn’t expect the same with his upcoming opponent, Geoff Neal. The two are scheduled to throw down at UFC 292 on August 19 in Boston, but the promotion for the fight took an ugly turn when Garry used Neal’s mugshot to sell t-shirts. Check it out:

For context, Neal was arrested in 2021 on charges of driving while intoxicated (DWI) and carrying an unlicensed weapon. Neal publicly downplayed the incident when asked, but obviously, it’s a touchy subject that makes for incendiary trash talk territory.

Already, Neal and his team have responded. On Neal’s Facebook page, the following was written by his father:

“Turns out ian garry is straight trash. That’s Geoff’s mug shot on his shirt. Weirdo thought it would be cute to wear this shirt to UFC 290. He’s so far back from the necessary fighters that no one gave a damn. I hope like hell he stays healthy so he makes to the 19th. It’s been a minute since somebody spoke out of place … ask Bilal and Mike Perry how that worked for them.”

Neal himself responded a bit more concisely. In a text his team released, Neal simply replied, “He’s dead.”

Insomnia

A wee bit of drama over at Xtreme Couture — think Sean Strickland can talk himself off a fight team like Colby Covington did?

Do you know the trick to predicting Bruce Buffer’s calls before they happen?

Will Michael Chandler or Arman Tsarukyan stumble into a sudden title shot? Those two seem the most realistic options.

Alex Volkanovski might be the sharpest switch hitter in the sport right now.

Contrary to the tweet, Khalil Coe was not an Olympian, but he is a highly accomplished amateur boxer nevertheless.

Dricus du Plessis proved his grappling was real deal this weekend! The d’arce plus elbow combination was sweet too.

I love this meme.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

The PFL event over the weekend featured a perfect cross-kick combination in an open stance engagement.

I would rather let my ankles shatter than tap from back mount in an MMA fight.

WILD!

Random Land

Better than the home run derby?

Midnight Music: Alternative, 1981

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.