Geoff Neal
Handz of Steel
USA
Lasts 79 seconds in Houston
Neal lost to Uros Medic via KO (punch) at 1:19 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Houston.
ANALYSIS
No disrespect to Medic, who clearly has ridiculous power, but that will do it for Neal at 170 pounds. You simply cannot be brutally finished in Round 1 as a -225 favorite after being handed the co-main event spot in an arena show. Neither man seemed to have much going early, at which point Neal got clipped on the temple with a shot which appeared to knock him out cold before he hit the mat. Geoff appeared to be in great shape entering the fight, but it clearly didn't matter. Set to turn 36 years old in August and sporting a 1-4 record in his past five fights dating back to March 2023, Neal is a low-key release candidate.
No disrespect to Medic, who clearly has ridiculous power, but that will do it for Neal at 170 pounds. You simply cannot be brutally finished in Round 1 as a -225 favorite after being handed the co-main event spot in an arena show. Neither man seemed to have much going early, at which point Neal got clipped on the temple with a shot which appeared to knock him out cold before he hit the mat. Geoff appeared to be in great shape entering the fight, but it clearly didn't matter. Set to turn 36 years old in August and sporting a 1-4 record in his past five fights dating back to March 2023, Neal is a low-key release candidate.
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Medic up next
Neal will fight Uros Medic at UFC Houston on Feb. 21, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
After a loss to Carlos Prates in August, Neal now sits at 1-3 across his last four fights. Momentum certainly won't be in his favor while he looks to bounce back against Medic, who has won three of his last four bouts.
After a loss to Carlos Prates in August, Neal now sits at 1-3 across his last four fights. Momentum certainly won't be in his favor while he looks to bounce back against Medic, who has won three of his last four bouts.
Flattened by Prates
Neal lost to Carlos Prates via KO (spinning back elbow) at 4:59 of Round 1 at UFC 319 on Saturday in Chicago, Illinois.
ANALYSIS
Neal seemingly had the right game plan against Prates, as he was intent on making the aggressive fighter feel uncomfortable in the Octagon. The Brazilian never seemed bothered by what came his way, even when Neal landed impactful shots. Instead, "Handz of Steel" attempted to nonchalantly walk into range near the end of Round 1 and was left wiggling his fingers on the mat as a result. As a fast, powerful striker, Neal has the tools to beat any fighter on the right night, but he wasn't a match for the creativity and athleticism of Prates on Saturday. He falls to 16-7-0 in professional MMA due to the loss.
Neal seemingly had the right game plan against Prates, as he was intent on making the aggressive fighter feel uncomfortable in the Octagon. The Brazilian never seemed bothered by what came his way, even when Neal landed impactful shots. Instead, "Handz of Steel" attempted to nonchalantly walk into range near the end of Round 1 and was left wiggling his fingers on the mat as a result. As a fast, powerful striker, Neal has the tools to beat any fighter on the right night, but he wasn't a match for the creativity and athleticism of Prates on Saturday. He falls to 16-7-0 in professional MMA due to the loss.
Fight rebooked for UFC 319
Neal will face off against Carlos Prates at UFC 319 on Aug 16, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Neal has rebooked his bout against Carlos Prates for UFC 319 after their originally scheduled fight at UFC 314 was called off following Neal's elbow injury. The 34-year-old American currently boasts an 8-4 record during his seven-year UFC journey.
Neal has rebooked his bout against Carlos Prates for UFC 319 after their originally scheduled fight at UFC 314 was called off following Neal's elbow injury. The 34-year-old American currently boasts an 8-4 record during his seven-year UFC journey.
Won't fight at UFC 314
Neal won't fight in UFC 314 on April 12 after undergoing elbow surgery, Lynch On Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Neal was expected to face Carlos Prates in a welterweight event this Saturday, but the fight is now off. Neal is expected to step into the Octagon at some point during the summer.
Neal was expected to face Carlos Prates in a welterweight event this Saturday, but the fight is now off. Neal is expected to step into the Octagon at some point during the summer.
Draws red-hot fighter
Neal will take on Carlos Prates in a welterweight matchup at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Once considered one of the division's top prospects, Neal hit a bit of a rough spot with a 2-4 run spanning from 2020 through early-2024. He bounced back with a first-round finish against veteran Rafael dos Anjos this past October, but he now draws a red-hot fighter in Prates who has one four consecutive fights by stoppage in the first two rounds and earned a post-fight bonus in each. Neal is a higher-volume striker by a slight margin, but he'll be on the short end of striking defense, statistically, in addition to being at a disadvantage in both height and reach.
Once considered one of the division's top prospects, Neal hit a bit of a rough spot with a 2-4 run spanning from 2020 through early-2024. He bounced back with a first-round finish against veteran Rafael dos Anjos this past October, but he now draws a red-hot fighter in Prates who has one four consecutive fights by stoppage in the first two rounds and earned a post-fight bonus in each. Neal is a higher-volume striker by a slight margin, but he'll be on the short end of striking defense, statistically, in addition to being at a disadvantage in both height and reach.