Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Welterweight hopefuls Niko Price and Geoff Neal were out to make names for themselves at each others’ expenses, locking horns tonight (Sat., July 27, 2019) at UFC 240, which took place inside Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Neal was undefeated inside the Octagon heading into the 170-pound bout (3-0). And he’s still is after stopping Price in the second round in what turned out to be a back-and-forth slobberknocker.
Price opened up the action with a few kicks, while Neal bounced and popped just outside of range, looking for an opening to exploit. He found it just 60 seconds into the match, bombing Price with a flurry and then dumping him to the canvas. Price reversed position and the two ended up tangled along the fence, where Neal scored a hard shot on the break. Price used his legs to keep Neal at bay, but Neal was able to get in close and land a hard uppercut that buzzed “The Hybrid.” Price drilled Neal along the cage and he wobbled. Price followed up with another haymaker, but Neal countered with one of his own off his back foot and both fighters hit the floor at the same time. Price was able to clear the cobwebs and somehow end up threatening Price’s neck with a choke as an action-packed round came to a close.
Price roared to start the second round, excited to mix it up for another five minutes. And he came out of the gate swinging, drilling Neal with a barrage of strikes that sent him into retreat mode. Neal was able to duck underneath the wild flurries and get Price on the ground. Neal then began to unleash hell on Price’s face, splitting his face open. Price fired back with elbows off his back, which appeared to do damage. Neal postured up one last time and laid down a what appeared to be a ferocious beating — Price was flailing and appeared to go limp — compelling the referee to step in and stop it.
Perhaps it was a bit too premature, but Neal was putting his stamp on Price — the end appeared inevitable. It was a great win for Neal, who absorbed several hard shots, survived and returned powerful fire.
That was a fun one.
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 240 fight card all night long, starting with the Fight Pass “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET, before the pay-per-view (PPV) main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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