Neil Magny: ‘It’s Only a Matter of Time Until I’m a World Champion’

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Before all is said and done, Neil Magny could very well surpass Georges St. Pierre for the most victories in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s welterweight division.

Magny moved closer to GSP on Saturday night, as he captured a dominant unanimous decision against former champion Robbie Lawler in the UFC Fight Night 175 co-headliner in Las Vegas. The Elevation Fight Team representative now has 17 triumphs at 170 pounds — just two behind the legendary Canadian. Now he just needs the championship hardware to match St. Pierre.

“It feels great. Leading up to this week I was being put in the category as guys like Matt Hughes, Georges St. Pierre, and here tonight fighting Robbie Lawler,” Magny said in his post-fight interview. “I’m doing the right things, going in the right direction, it's only a matter of time until I'm a world champion.

“It's definitely a feather in the cap beating a legend like Robbie Lawler. The guy's done amazing things in the sport throughout his time here and it was literally an honor to go in there and face him tonight.”

Lawler rarely threatened Magny during the welterweight contest, as he was controlled at rage, in the clinch and on the canvas. In one perplexing moment, it was Lawler who shot for a takedown early in the opening stanza. That decision backfired, and “Ruthless” was unable to consistently test Magny’s chin with his notoriously heavy hands.

“The key to this game plan was to use my range, make him miss big, counter his shots, tie up his arms and really make him work,” Magny said. “I’m really surprised he’s the one who initiated the takedowns. Once I was able to reverse position and take control, I just ran with it from there.”

Over the course of a promotional tenure that began in 2013, Magny has quietly compiled an impressive resume that features victories over the likes of Kelvin Gastelum, Tim Means, Hector Lombard, Johny Hendricks, Carlos Condit and Lawler, among others.

“I’m definitely a threat in the welterweight division,” Magny said. “These guys already knew I was here, but it's just getting to the point where they can't avoid me anymore.”

Magny has been one of the UFC’s most active fighters in recent years, and on Saturday he joined a handful of fighters who have won three bouts during a challenging 2020 campaign. Although a title shot is in his sights, he wants to keep that momentum rolling as the year continues. Waiting is simply not an option.

“There’s this weird thing where guys feel entitled to wait and call shots. I’m a fighter. Sean Shelby tells me who and when I’m fighting, and the answer is always yes,” Magny said. “I don’t want to waste time. I want to get back in here and make strides towards that title.

“I feel great. That was a huge win for me. It definitely propels my career forward. I want to get back in the gym, get healthy and look forward to competing the fourth time this year.”