It is personal! Calling Neil Magny a “gatekeeper” is okay, but you’ll get destroyed | UFC Vegas 64

• Magny became the first competitor to submit Daniel Rodriguez to win
• The 35-year-old also surpassed former double champion George St-Pierre to take the top spot in Welterweight victories all-time
• Fighters and observers alike have claimed that if a fighter can defeat Magny

The word “gatekeeper” is frequently used in mixed martial arts (MMA). And although calling someone a name isn’t always a bad thing, experienced combatants frequently interpret it that way.

For many years, Neil Magny was one of those combatants.

On Saturday, November 5, 2022, inside UFC Apex, at UFC Vegas 64, Magny became the first competitor to submit Daniel Rodriguez to win. The 35-year-old also surpassed former double champion George St-Pierre to take the top spot in Welterweight victories all-time.

Fighters and observers alike have claimed that if a fighter can defeat Magny, it’s a hint that he can likely compete with the best in the 170-pound division. That opinion was shared by “D-Rod,” who described Magny as the dreaded weight-class gatekeeper prior to their battle.

Big error

Magny claimed in his post-fight media interview that he took such remarks personally and used them as motivation inside the cage.

“Even though I took the gatekeeper from D-Rod personal, it was nothing against him. I mean, if I go out there and I fall short when it matters most, and I end up being a gatekeeper, it’s not because of him — it’s because of my actions,” So, even when it comes down to like the odds and that kind of thing for people betting and that kind of things, that’s what’s going to start altering those narratives, for me to go out there and fight to the best of my ability.

“As much as I took it personal with that gatekeeper comment, it is literally more so motivating,” he continued. “Like, alright, cool. Are you a gatekeeper? If not, go out there and prove otherwise. And that’s kind of like where I’m heading now.”

Is motivated/anti-gatekeeper Magny now a legendary fighter? Only time will tell.

Magny has now triumphed in six of his past eight fights, and following his victory against Rodriguez, he challenged Gilbert Burns, who is rated No. 5, to a match in Brazil in January 2023.

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