BOSTON – Tensions have risen between UFC 292 welterweights after Ian Machado Garry checked Neil Magny on comments that could have been taken as an admission of child abuse.
The matchup between promotion-ranked top 15 fighters takes place on the main card of the pay-per-view event on Aug. 19 at TD Garden. Judging by their interactions at the pre-fight press conference Thursday, emotions could play a big factor come Saturday evening.
During his pre-fight media day news conference, Magny (28-10 MMA, 21-9 UFC) told reporters that he plans on issuing a father-like “ass whooping” to Garry (12-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC). The comments struck Garry as if Magny made an admission to putting his hands on his children.
“I think Neil was given a f*cking mic yesterday, and he should sit up here on this stage and say nothing,” Garry said when asked about Magny’s comments. “He put his f*cking foot in the dirt. If he speaks today, he’s digging a hole.
“Nobody is allowed to ask Neil Magny a question today. He’s to sit there and reflect on the sh*t that he said, because what he said was f*cking ridiculous. … We are tackling a very, very big f*cking issue here, mate. He should sit there and f*cking sit down, shut up, and reflect on what he said.”
While reporters in attendance attempted to ask Magny for a reply, Garry interjected as his opponent picked up the microphone and began to speak.
“No, no, no – Neil’s not answering a question,” Garry said. “He’s going to sit there, and he’s going to be f*cking quiet. There is no f*cking right to ever put your hand on a kid, ever – discipline, anything. He’s to sit there and be quiet.”
Magny found space to get a few words in while Garry spoke over him, as he attempted to explain his comments at media day should have been taken figuratively rather than literally. The UFC welterweight wins leader said he does not abuse his children.
“You want to play victim so bad, bro,” Magny said. “You know exactly what that statement meant. … You know for a fact I’ve never put a hand on my child.”
The heated verbal exchanges continued as the fighters argued back and forth about how the actual fight will play out inside the octagon. The bickering continued until UFC president Dana White called for the next question.
A few moments later, another question was posed to Magny, but once again, Garry began drowning out Magny’s response just as he began to replay.
“Every time you speak, you need to hear the words that came out of your mouth at that press conference yesterday,” Garry said. “You should be f*cking ashamed of yourself saying you’re going to lay hands on f*cking child. Imagine that? What the f*ck are you talking about? Sit there and shut your mouth and reflect on what you said.”
Magny became fed up with Garry continuing to harp on the issue, and issued a warning as the two attempted to talk over each other.
“Do not mention my child,” Magny said. “Do not mention my child. I will slap you on this stage right now. Do not mention my child. That’s your only warning. Shut your mouth and do not mention my child. Next question please.”
The back-and-forth culminated in an intense faceoff at the conclusion of the press conference, prompting security and UFC officials to be on high alert as they continued to yell at each other in close proximity.
Tensions now are higher than ever for this matchup, which came together on short notice after Garry’s original opponent Geoff Neal withdrew due to medical issues. Although it wasn’t the originally scheduled fight, Garry initially called Magny out after his victory over Daniel Rodriguez in May.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 292.
