“Punch him when I see him!” Geoff Neal calls Ian Garry backlash ‘poetic justice’ after Irishman sold t-shirts with his mugshot

Geoff Neal talks about Ian Garry fight and his take on the infamous 'mugshot t-shirts' sold by the Irish fighter.

“Punch him when I see him!” Geoff Neal calls Ian Garry backlash ‘poetic justice’ after Irishman sold t-shirts with his mugshot

Geoff Neal gives his take on the 'mugshot t-shirts' sold by Ian Garry (via YouTube)

Geoff Neal responded to his forthcoming opponent, Ian Garry‘s, provocative activities with a combination of confidence and hatred. Garry, who will take on Neal at UFC 299, had sparked controversy by selling t-shirts with Neal’s mugshot. This move garnered much attention and displeasure from the MMA community as well as Neal himself.

In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Geoff Neal expressed his eagerness to face Garry. They were slated to face earlier, but Neal had to pull out due to health issues. When asked about how he felt when Garry was selling the t-shirts with his mugshot, this is what he said:

It was just low class. I’m just going to punch him in the face when I see him.
Geoff Neal via The MMA Hour
YouTube video

Neal’s reaction to the mugshot t-shirt controversy exemplifies his tenacity and no-nonsense demeanor. Despite a difficult year that included health concerns and a DUI arrest, Neal stays focused on the upcoming fight at UFC 299. Neal, confident in his talents, anticipated a second-round triumph over Garry, emphasizing his versatility and persistence.

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The MMA world awaits the fight between Geoff Neal and Ian Garry at UFC 299. The background of Neal’s difficult return to the cage and his simple approach to the sport adds an intriguing aspect to the story. Neal’s tenacity and desire set the setting for an exciting showdown with the emerging star, making this a must-see for fans and experts alike.

The beginnings of the feud between Ian Garry and Geoff Neal

The dispute between rising welterweight sensation Ian Garry and UFC veteran Geoff Neal took off when Garry’s decision to sell T-shirts displaying Neal’s mugshot. The conflict began in July 2023, when Garry wore a T-shirt with Neal’s mugshot and the tagline “The Future” – Garry’s nickname. This was before his scheduled fight against Neal at UFC 292.

The start of the feud between Geoff Neal and Ian Garry
The start of the feud between Geoff Neal and Ian Garry (via BJ Penn)

Garry putting Neal’s mugshot on the T-shirt is tied to an event with Neal on Thanksgiving Day 2021. According to reports, Neal was detained by the Texas Department of Public Safety on November 25, 2021. The arrest was made based on two misdemeanor charges: DUI and unauthorized possession of a firearm. Neal was then booked into the Collin County Jail in McKinney, Texas, on a $1,000 bail for each offense.

Garry took advantage of Neal’s legal situation by putting his mugshot into products that he sold on his Instagram shop. The incident sparked debate in the MMA world. Many questioned the ethics of using another fighter’s legal problems for promotional purposes.

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