Ian Machado Garry claimed a split decision victory over Geoff Neal at UFC 298 after months of controversy surrounding the Irishman.
Muchado Garry defeated Neal 30-27, 28-29, 30-27 on the scorecards before unleashing a verbal attack on his critics as he appeared to embrace the villain.
He was booed throughout the night and after the fight, calling out Colby Covington after the fight and claiming to retire the 35-year-old due to his criticism of his wife Layla.
Machado Garry had threatened to silence Sean Strickland for calling his wife a “pedophile,” among other insults, while Covington had labeled him a “mean lady” and a “hoe.”
However, after defeating Neal, Machaco Garry took the microphone to address the Americans present and captivate the fans in attendance.
Ian Machado Garry claimed a split-decision win over Geoff Neal at UFC 298 after months of controversy
He defeated his opponent 30-27, 28-29, 30-27 in what ended up being a close match.
Muchado Garry and his wife Layla (right) have been a talking point in the MMA world for several months
“I’m undefeated, I’m winning, keep talking, you’re watching me,” he told Joe Rogan. “Geoff hits hard and you have to give him respect, he is a warrior and I knew I might have to poke away for 15 minutes because he is very dangerous.
“I want Colby Covington next, he’s on a three-fight skid and I want him to retire. You are not ready to deal with this speed yet and I will make you regret everything you said.
“I watched this as a kid and I’m living the dream: I’m going to be world champion, whether you like it or not.”
Machado Garry, 26, and his relationship with wife Layla, 40, have been in the spotlight for several months, with the likes of Strickland spreading misinformation and encouraging online trolls.
Some fans online claimed that the Machado Garrys were living with Layla’s ex-husband, Richard Cullen.
She quickly debunked that and now her UFC star husband, who fights in Anaheim on Saturday night, has fully explained the arrangement that sees him hired as a nutritionist.
He told Shakiel Mahjouri, “The main reason behind my wife’s ex-husband is that he is a top nutritionist and he is very good at what he does, to the point where every UFC weight cut has been easier every time. .
“We have worked phenomenally together and I am very proud of the work we have done. In that same regard, he is a professional in one respect, he is also the father of my wife’s son and I never want to put a wedge between a father and a son.”
The relationship was previously thrust into the spotlight after it emerged that Layla had previously written a short satirical book entitled ‘How to be a WAG’ more than a decade ago.
Machado Garry (right) hired the ex-husband (center) of Layla (left) to be his nutritionist and travel the world with them
Cullen (left) was described by Machado Garry as ‘very good at what he does’
Muchado Garry showed slick movement and razor-sharp kicks early in the fight, but was occasionally forced onto the back foot by Neal.
The crowd became frustrated in the final round as he circled away from the direct altercation, but after hitting a perfect knee he backed the decision that victory was coming his way.
Muchado Garry’s UFC record now stands at 14 wins from 14 bouts as he looks to continue climbing the roster.