Geoff Neal

Handz of Steel

USA

Solid showing after bad weight miss
WelterweightUFC
March 4, 2023
Neal lost to Shavkat Rakhmonov via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:17 of Round 3 at UFC 285 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's been a rough last 36 hours for Neal. After missing weight by a whopping four pounds Friday morning, Geoff had to forfeit 30 percent of his purse to Rakhmonov just for this fight to proceed. His actual performance inside the Octagon wasn't all that bad considering he was going up against a stone-cold killer that may very well be UFC Welterweight Champion sooner rather than later. Neal dug deep to last as long as he did. He inflicted his fair share of offensive damage, but Rakhmonov -- who may not be human -- just kept on smiling and pushing forward without a care in the world. Set to turn 33 years of age this coming August, Neal isn't on the same level as the top guys at 170 pounds, but he's far more talented than his 3-2 record in his past five fights would lead you to believe. While those who miss weight are typically not eligible for a post-fight bonus, UFC President Dana White made an exception here, indicating that he would receive his $50,000 payment after this bout was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
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Fined 30 percent of purse
WelterweightUFC
March 3, 2023
Neal will be fined 30 percent of his purse for Saturday's matchup against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 285, and the bout will proceed at a catchweight, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Neal missed the welterweight limit by a whopping four pounds, but Rakhmonov has agreed to taking on a heavy opponent. Neal knocked out Vicente Luque in August for his second straight victory, while Rakhmonov is 4-0 since joining the UFC and took down Neil Magny via submission (guillotine choke) last June.
Misses weight by four pounds
WelterweightUFC
March 3, 2023
Neal weighed in at 175 pounds, four pounds over the welterweight limit, for his matchup with Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 285 on Saturday, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Neal was forced to withdraw from the pair's previously scheduled bout in January due to an unspecified injury, and Saturday's fight is now in jeopardy due to the weight miss. It remains to be seen if an agreement is reached for the fight to continue despite Neal coming in overweight.
Rakhmonov fight on again
WelterweightUFC
January 4, 2023
Neal's scheduled welterweight bout with Shavkat Rakhmonov set for Jan. 14 at the UFC's event in Las Vegas has been rebooked for March 4 at UFC 285 in Las Vegas, Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Neal (15-4-0) and Rakhmonov (16-0-0) had ben in line to face off in January before the latter withdrew from the matchup last week. The two fighters were quickly able to work out a new agreement on a fight date, giving both welterweights an additional two months to train for their matchups. Neal is coming off consecutive wins against Santiago Ponzinibbio and Vicente Luque.
Withdraws with injury
WelterweightUFC
December 29, 2022
Neal was scratched from his welterweight matchup against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC Vegas 67 on Jan. 14 due to an undisclosed injury, Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Neal is coming off a dominant victory over Vicente Luque in August but will now be sidelined for an unspecified period. The UFC is searching for a replacement fighter for Rakhmonov, though it's currently unclear if he'll remain on the card.
Paired with Shavkat Rakhmonov
WelterweightUFC
October 8, 2022
Neal will take on Shavkat Rakhmonov in a welterweight fight Jan. 14, Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Neal owns a strong 7-2 record as a UFC fighter. He rebounded from consecutive losses to earn victories in his last two fights, most recently knocking Vicente Luque out in the third round of their August matchup. Rakhmonov has never lost as a professional, though just four of those fights have come at the UFC level.