Sayif Saud responds to Garry, manager’s criticism of Neal’s withdrawl

UFC welterweight contender Geoff Neal’s head coach Sayif Saud just isn’t pleased with some criticism that has adopted his withdrawal from UFC 292. Particularly, the remarks coming from his previously scheduled opponent’s supervisor.

Neal (15-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) was set to tackle undefeated Ian Machado Garry (12-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) on the upcoming UFC pay-per-view occasion in Boston on Aug. 19. Attributable to medical points, Neal was forced to withdraw from the competition, which drew unsavory criticism from Garry’s supervisor Llyod Pierson.

“His p*ssy hurts,” mentioned Pierson in a video Garry posted to social media whereas delivering the information of Neal’s withdrawal. Garry’s quote together with the video said, “Geoff Neal has b*tched out.”

The criticism from the pair didn’t sit effectively with Saud, who has witnessed each step of Neal’s journey since being hospitalized with sepsis in 2020. In accordance with Saud, Neal has by no means totally recovered from his brush with loss of life, regardless of persevering with his profession.

“The followers know that Geoff Neal was a fast-rising star, and after that occurred, he simply hasn’t fairly been the identical, and it’s been a thriller of one thing we’ve been attempting to resolve for a very long time,” Sayif instructed MMA Junkie. “He’s a man that nearly died. He actually virtually died, and was within the ICU for 9 days.”

I simply noticed this and discover it very disturbing. @handzofsteelmma is working intently with the @ufc medical employees after by no means totally recovering from close to loss of life/sepsis, followers all know.This child fought @Rakhmonov1994 @VicenteLuqueMMA @bullyb170 @WonderboyMMA it’s pathetic to listen to this https://t.co/GPt9U5rQRA

— Sayif Saud (@sayif_saud) August 11, 2023

After being cleared to compete, Neal went on to face a number of the greatest names and hardest competitors at 170 kilos. He has gone on to report blended outcomes towards Stephen Thompson, Neil Magny, Santiago Ponzinibbio, Vicente Luque, and most lately, Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Neal’s most up-to-date bout didn’t go off and not using a hitch. He was initially scheduled to face Rakhmonov in January, however needed to withdraw because of a medical situation. The pairing remained intact and was rescheduled for UFC 285. It turned out to be an intense main card battle that earned the Battle of the Night time award.

Contemplating the lineup of opponents Neal has confronted since coping with his medical issues, Saud was not happy to listen to Garry and Pierson insinuate that Neal was scared to point out up for his or her scheduled battle at UFC 292.

“It’s simply silly to say that,” Saud mentioned. “Geoff is the man that attempted to push by for the Shavkat battle and everybody’s like, ‘What’s improper with this man?’ Everybody feels it. All of the followers. The man’s simply not wholesome. Everybody is aware of this story. Are you that tone deaf that you just don’t know what’s occurring within the sport? Everyone is aware of his state of affairs.”

Garry has since discovered a replacement opponent in Neil Magny, and can stay on the UFC 292 card.

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 292.