Ian Machado Garry defeats Geoff Neal in split decision

Tenth-ranked welterweight Ian Machado Garry looked to move up the rankings on Saturday when he faced eighth-ranked Geoff Neal in a UFC 298 main card bout.  

The undefeated Garry was coming off an impressive win over Neil Magny in his last outing.  He was scheduled to face Vicente Luque at UFC 296 in December but was forced out of the fight due to a bout of pneumonia.  “The Future” predicted that he’ll make a title run this year and it starts by defeating Neal.  

Neal had a two-fight winning streak snapped in his last fight losing to Shavkat Rakhmonov via submission last March.  The fight earned the UFC 285 Fight of the Night honors.  He looked to pick up a solid win and hand Garry his first career loss.  

The two touched gloves and Garry took the center of the octagon.  Neal circled on the outside and landed a leg kick.  Garry responded with a front kick to the body.  Neal delivered another leg kick and pressured Garry.  Garry went to the body with a right hand.  Neal continued to utilized leg kicks.  Garry jumped in with a knee followed by a left hand.  Neal drove forward with a combination into the clinch.  They worked for position along the cage with each turning the other.  

Garry separated but got hit with a right hand on the break.  Garry landed a right hand.  Neal responded with a right hand of his own.  Neal landed a right hand at the bell.  It was a close round.  MMAWeekly scored it 10-9 for Garry.  

Neal opened the second round with a leg kick.  Neal pressured Garry but Garry landed a combination.  Neal opted the clinch and keep Garry against the cage.  Not much happened in the clinch and Garry separated.  Garry connected with a kick to the body.  Neal landed a right hand and clinched with two minutes remaining in the round.  

Garry got off the fence and separated.  Neal stepped into the pocket with a left hand.  Garry delivered a kick to the body.  Neal connected with a combination.  Neal landed a right hand and Garry clinched.  The round ended with the two tied up along the fence.  MMAWeekly scored the second round 10-9 for Neal.  

Garry’s corner told him to be more active in the final round.  Neal pressured Garry to start the third frame.  He clinched and separated.  Garry delivered a kick to the body.  Neal responded with a combination to the body.  Neal connected with a leg kick and Garry answered with a combination.  

Garry went to the body with a kick and Neal exploded forward.  He landed a right hand and clinched with three minutes left in the round.  Garry broke free 30 seconds later.  Neal connected with a straight left hand.  At the two minute mark, Garry landed a knee to the chin of Neal.  Neal took it.  

Garry landed his jab and circled away.  Garry connected with an elbow.  Neal continued to press forward.  He missed with a combination and clinched.  Garry separated and connected with an elbow.  MMAWeekly scored the third round for Garry.  

The judges scored the fight for Garry via split decision.  The scorecards read 30-27, 28-29, and 30-27.