LAS VEGAS – Neil Magny is aware of that simply because he has extra UFC welterweight wins than Georges St-Pierre, that doesn’t imply he’s had a greater profession.
Magny (27-9 MMA, 20-8 UFC) submitted Daniel Rodriguez (17-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) within the third spherical of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 214 co-main occasion to interrupt out of a tie with St-Pierre for most victories in 170-pound history.
It’s a file Magny has been flirting with and on the cusp of for the previous few years, and it was imminent the day would come when he would change into the primary to win 20 occasions within the weight class. It’s an enormous accomplishment, however Magny argues it’s nothing loopy within the grand scheme. St-Pierre is a former two-division UFC champion, a UFC Corridor of Famer and one of the vital dominant fighters within the historical past of the game.
Earlier than they are often put in an actual dialog collectively, Magny stated he has to make main strides.
“One of many greatest issues I needed to come to phrases with lately is respect the man that got here earlier than me and notice that I’m by way of my very own path within the UFC,” Magny instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters post-fight at UFC Battle Evening 214. “It’s actual simple so as to add to the psychological stress each within the struggle and after the struggle is over, the place you are feeling such as you sort of got here up brief or may’ve accomplished higher whenever you’re continuously evaluating your self to different individuals. I imagine Georges St-Pierre is the best welterweight of all time. It was cool to get to the purpose the place I’ve probably the most wins in UFC proper now, however I’ve to simply accept his profession is way completely different from mine.
“I can’t take a look at Georges St-Pierre’s profession and what he’s accomplished within the sport and really feel like I fell brief or I did accomplish sufficient, as a result of that’s simply added psychological stress I didn’t want. … If I begin to purchase into the hype and continuously evaluating myself to GSP, when the day does come that I stroll away from it, I’ll have a darkish shadow over it like, ‘OK, you had an amazing profession. However you weren’t GSP.’ I do know I’m not GSP. I’m Neil Magny and I’m carving my very own means within the file books and blazing a path for myself.”
Magny stated his perspective towards his file and profession as a complete is what helped him get the job accomplished towards Rodriguez on the UFC Apex. After taking the primary spherical, Magny allowed Rodriguez to rally again within the second body and even the struggle on the scorecard. It stopped there, although, as a result of Magny picked issues up within the ultimate body and locked Rodriguez in a D’Arce choke to drive the faucet.
“I needed to get a submission or TKO win earlier within the struggle, however shout out to D-Rod,” Magny stated. “He made the changes. … He did a superb job of adjusting, nevertheless it was simply cool to see it come collectively.”
The record-setting victory is one Magny doubtless received’t quickly neglect, however he stated he’s already interested by how one can transfer ahead. His major aim is to carry UFC gold, and he received’t cease working till he will get there.
“I would like the stamp on my profession,” Magny stated. “I wish to be a champion for the remainder of my life. Nobody goes to offer it to me, so I’ve bought to exit and get it.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Battle Evening 214.
