Given his status as the UFC’s welterweight wins and fights leader, it was somewhat surprising to see Neil Magny relegated to the early prelims at UFC 330 on Saturday, where he faced off with Ramiz Brahimaj.
Magny, 39, had seen a two-fight win streak snapped in his last outing, a loss to ex-Bellator champ Yaroslav Amosov. Brahimaj was in a similar spot, after Punahele Soriano halted his own three-fight run.
Immediately Brahimaj came out as the aggressor in round one pressing Magny to the fence after each fighter exchanged kicks at distance. Once against the fence, Brahimaj was able to secure a takedown with ease. Transitioning to a more dominant top position Brahimaj was able to maintain control for a majority of the round landing small punches on top. After five minutes Brahimaj was out to an early lead after clearly winning the first round.
To start the second, Brahimaj implored a similar game plan, pushing the veteran Neil Magny to the fence before landing another takedown. Magny tried to scramble to his feet but was dragged back down to the ground. Moments later Magny was able to reverse position and end up on top. Magny chose to stand in the clinch and hurt Brahimaj with a shot to the body. Brahimaj instantly reacted crumbling against the fence in pain, Magny landed 15 more unanswered blows before referee Jason Herzog came in and stopped the fight.
An unbelievable comeback from the wily veteran Neil Magny to secure his 25th UFC victory. A TKO in the second round moved Magny into second place all time in UFC wins. Using his cardio and out lasting his opponent once again, Magny proved he has much more left to give in his career moving forward. After the fight, the 39-year old told Joe Rogan that “life has forged me into a great fighter.”
Official Result: Neil Magny def. Ramiz Brahimaj by TKO (punches), Round 2, 3:20
