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Before all is said and done, Neil Magny
could very well surpass Georges St.
Pierre for the most victories in the history of the Ultimate
Fighting Championship’s welterweight division.
Magny moved closer to GSP on Saturday night, as he captured a
dominant unanimous decision against former champion Robbie
Lawler in the UFC Fight Night 175 co-headliner in Las Vegas.
The Elevation Fight Team representative now has 17 triumphs at 170
pounds — just two behind the legendary Canadian. Now he just needs
the championship hardware to match St. Pierre.
“It feels great. Leading up to this week I was being put in the
category as guys like Matt Hughes,
Georges St.
Pierre, and here tonight fighting Robbie
Lawler,” Magny said in his post-fight interview. “I’m doing the
right things, going in the right direction, it’s only a matter of
time until I’m a world champion.
“It’s definitely a feather in the cap beating a legend like
Robbie
Lawler. The guy’s done amazing things in the sport throughout
his time here and it was literally an honor to go in there and face
him tonight.”
Lawler rarely threatened Magny during the welterweight contest, as
he was controlled at rage, in the clinch and on the canvas. In one
perplexing moment, it was Lawler who shot for a takedown early in
the opening stanza. That decision backfired, and “Ruthless” was
unable to consistently test Magny’s chin with his notoriously heavy
hands.
“The key to this game plan was to use my range, make him miss big,
counter his shots, tie up his arms and really make him work,” Magny
said. “I’m really surprised he’s the one who initiated the
takedowns. Once I was able to reverse position and take control, I
just ran with it from there.”
Over the course of a promotional tenure that began in 2013, Magny
has quietly compiled an impressive resume that features victories
over the likes of Kelvin
Gastelum, Tim Means,
Hector
Lombard, Johny
Hendricks, Carlos
Condit and Lawler, among others.
“I’m definitely a threat in the welterweight division,” Magny said.
“These guys already knew I was here, but it’s just getting to the
point where they can’t avoid me anymore.”
Magny has been one of the UFC’s most active fighters in recent
years, and on Saturday he joined a handful of fighters who have won
three bouts during a challenging 2020 campaign. Although a title
shot is in his sights, he wants to keep that momentum rolling as
the year continues. Waiting is simply not an option.
“There’s this weird thing where guys feel entitled to wait and call
shots. I’m a fighter. Sean Shelby tells me who and when I’m
fighting, and the answer is always yes,” Magny said. “I don’t want
to waste time. I want to get back in here and make strides towards
that title.
“I feel great. That was a huge win for me. It definitely propels my
career forward. I want to get back in the gym, get healthy and look
forward to competing the fourth time this year.”
