Tag: Geoff Neal

UFC Vegas 26: Rodriguez vs. Waterson Weigh-In Results & Preview

The UFC Vegas 26 weigh-ins are complete. While the main card remains untouched, there were two fights pulled from the lineup. Although every fight on the main card remains intact, there was still a miss from Diego Ferreira, who will be competing agains…

The UFC Vegas 26 weigh-ins are complete. While the main card remains untouched, there were two fights pulled from the lineup. Although every fight on the main card remains intact, there was still a miss from Diego Ferreira, who will be competing against Gregor Gillespie. Ferreira will be fined 30% of his purse, but the […]

Geoff Neal Releases Statement, Says He Couldn’t See Out Of Eye For 4 Rounds

NealGeoff Neal had to go through plenty of adversity leading up to his fight with Stephen Thompson. Neal suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Thompson in the UFC Vegas 17 headliner last night as he was completely outclassed by the former title challenger over 25 minutes. The 30-year-old released a statement soon after the fight […]

Neal

Geoff Neal had to go through plenty of adversity leading up to his fight with Stephen Thompson.

Neal suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Thompson in the UFC Vegas 17 headliner last night as he was completely outclassed by the former title challenger over 25 minutes.

The 30-year-old released a statement soon after the fight where he detailed all the adversity he had faced leading up to the fight — including congestive heart failure earlier this year — as well as not being able to see out of his eye for four rounds.

“I want to take the time to thank all my supporters and friends. I haven’t replied to everyone but just know I love y’all! Not the outcome I wanted but I had fun nonetheless. Some much adversity dealing leading up to this fight.. sepsis, congestive heart failure, 3 of my corners testing positive for covid, with one of them being the general @sayifsaud, but I still made that walk and fought that fight.

“Couldn’t see out of my right eye for 4 rounds and still managed to hang in there with a guy whose been kicking ass since I was like 9yrs old lol. I don’t know about y’all but I’m proud of me! Shoutout to my teammates and coaches who did everything to get me ready for this moment.”

Neal’s injury to his eye appeared to have come from an accidental headbutt with Thompson towards the end of the first round as both fighters were cut and bleeding as a result.

However, “Handz of Steel” is not using all of that as excuses either, as he made sure to give props to “Wonderboy” for his performance as well as how he conducted himself during the fight.

“And big shout out to @wonderboymma. True definition of a martial artist. Never stop being you my man. And tell your pops I said thanks for the water ???

“P.S this is not an excuse @wonderboymma is good af lol”

What did you think of Neal’s performance despite all the setbacks he had to deal with?

Fighters React To Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal At UFC Vegas 17

Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal ended 2020 with a bang.  The showdown served as the main event of the UFC Vegas 17 event on Saturday night (Saturday, December 19, 2020) from UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. As seen in the fight, which was t…

Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal ended 2020 with a bang.  The showdown served as the main event of the UFC Vegas 17 event on Saturday night (Saturday, December 19, 2020) from UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. As seen in the fight, which was the final event for the UFC of 2020, it was […]

Stephen Thompson Grabs Decision Win Over Geoff Neal With Masterful Striking Display – UFC Vegas 17 Highlights

ThompsonIt’s two consecutive victories for two-time UFC welterweight title challenger, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. The road to the 170-pound top-five still goes through Simpsonville, South Carolina with fan-favourite Thompson displaying some of the most technical striking in recent memory to score a dominant judging win over Geoff ‘Handz of Steel’ Neal. Utilzing his phenomenal footwork from […]

Thompson

It’s two consecutive victories for two-time UFC welterweight title challenger, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. The road to the 170-pound top-five still goes through Simpsonville, South Carolina with fan-favourite Thompson displaying some of the most technical striking in recent memory to score a dominant judging win over Geoff ‘Handz of Steel’ Neal.

Utilzing his phenomenal footwork from the get-go, Thomspon fired from ranfe on cue, countering and evading the pace-pushing and pressuring from Neal. With just over a minute remaining in the round, Thompson and Neal unfortunately clashed heads during an exchange — opening a cut on both of their eyebrows. Round one in the books and a round for Wonderboy.

Closing the distance with a lot more urgency given the location of his cut, Neal clinched alongside the fence against Thompson, after eating a front-leg side-kick to the body. Picking each shot with aplomb, Thompson landed his shot of choice before changing direction and evading any incoming counters. Doing his best work before the buzzer, Neal clipped Wonderboy with a nice short left-hook. Another round under Wonderboy’s belt, however.

Again clinching after some more masterful striking from Thompson, Neal, who seemed somewhat dejected managed to control the Simpsonville native at the fence. Thompson again nabs a round with a more aggressive approach to the final exchanges of the third.

More of the same in the penultimate round for Thompson who landed his best shots in the center of the Octagon as Neal retreated as the former evaded. Worryingly for the karate practitioner, he noted a potentially injured right leg with some major swelling above the 38-year-old’s knee. Battling through the apparent injury, Thompson traded in the pocket with Neal, however, it was too little too late for the Fortis MMA mainstay as Wonderboy makes it two in two with a unanimous decision win.

Following the announcement of the official decision, Thompson called for an NMF vs. BMF rematch with recent welterweight title challenger, Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal.

Below, catch the highlights from Wonderboy’s second straight win as he dominates surging contender, Neal.

UFC Vegas 17 Highlights: Stephen Thompson Outstrikes Geoff Neal

Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal closed out the year for the promotion in an exciting way.  The two fighters met in a welterweight bout on Saturday night (December 19, 2020) at the UFC Vegas 17 event from the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada …

Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal closed out the year for the promotion in an exciting way.  The two fighters met in a welterweight bout on Saturday night (December 19, 2020) at the UFC Vegas 17 event from the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada on ESPN’s streaming service, ESPN+.  There was a clash of […]

Stephen Thompson Outpoints Geoff Neal – UFC Vegas 17 Results

Stephen ThompsonIT’S TIME! The UFC Vegas 17 main event between Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal is about to begin… Round 1: Stephen Thompson is throwing big kicks early but missing. He goes low with his next few and manages to land. Another upstairs is well blocked by Geoff Neal. ‘Wonderboy’ touches the body then gets on […]

Stephen Thompson

IT’S TIME! The UFC Vegas 17 main event between Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal is about to begin…

Round 1: Stephen Thompson is throwing big kicks early but missing. He goes low with his next few and manages to land. Another upstairs is well blocked by Geoff Neal. ‘Wonderboy’ touches the body then gets on his bike to get away from Neal who is constantly pushing forward. Thompson finds himself up against the cage and Neal lets his hands go for the first time. Thompson is using the threat of his strikes to create distance and avoid spending to much time against the fence. Thompson is tapping his man at every opportunity. Neal is chasing forward trying to land a knockout blow but is unable to catch ‘Wonderboy’. Thompson tires a spinning back kick but slips. The two fighters come together and clash heads. Thompson is cut above the eye and referee Marc Goddard temporarily stops the fight. Neal is also cut from the accidental headbutt. The fight recommences and after a few short moments the horn sounds to end round one.

Round 2: Lot’s of feints from Neal at the start of round two. Eventually he rushes in and pushes ‘Wonderboy’ up against the fence. Neal lands a few short shots before Thompson reverses the position. ‘Wonderboy’ lands a straight down the pipe and follows up with a hard body kick. Thompson is really starting to pick up the pace. Three consecutive shots land and Neal is unable to fire back. ‘Wonderboy’ is constantly going upstairs with his kicks. Neal is doing well to block them all but it’s all defence from him at this point. Neal charges in with a crude combo but doesn’t land. Thompson continues to pepper Neal with shots and use his great movement to avoid taking any damage. Neal is undeterred and manages to land one his bigger punches of the fight at the end of round two.

Round 3: More of the same at the start of round three. ‘Wonderboy’ with lots of volume and movement. Nothing big is landing but all these shots are adding up. Neal lands a overhand before pushing Thompson up against the fence. It’s a stalemate in this position. Lot’s of and fighting and short shots before they eventually separate. ‘Wonderboy’ goes back to work with lots of volume from the outside. Neal continues to barge forward and is starting to find more success with his strikes as the fight goes on. Neal pushes the fight to the fence once again. Neal’s mouth-guard pops out. Thompson lives up to his NMF tag by letting his opponent drop down and grab it. ‘Wonderboy’ isn’t nice once the action gets back underway. He’s starting to land with power. Neal lands something nice of it own but Thompson really ended that round really well.

Round 4: Not much changes at the start of round four. ‘Wonderboy’ continues to score with the volume and avoid taking damage with his movement. He doesn’t appear to be slowing down but Neal remains dangerous in these championship rounds. Neal closes distance again and presses to the fence. He spins and misses on the exit. ‘Wonderboy’ lands a nice right hand that appeared to hurt Neal. He steps in with a nice elbow and a jumping knee. It’s all really beautiful stuff from Thompson in round four. ‘Wonderboy’ slips over and Neal returns the favour by letting him stand back up. Thompson appears to hurt Neal with a strike but doesn’t follow up. Perhaps an eye poke? Neal presses the fight to the fence again. He is once again unable to make use of the position. The round ends with both men jockeying for position.

Round 5: ‘Wonderboy’ appears to have an injured right foot and pointed it out to his corner between rounds. He appears fine hopping around on it at the start of round five. Both men let it all hang out for a rare moment of craziness in what has otherwise been a hugely technical fight. Thompson is back on his bike after getting a stern warning from his corner. ‘Wonderboy’ is picking his shots nicely once again but it’s not long before Neal it threatening with big shots. He’s hunting for the KO in this final round. The problem is Thompson is able to land four or five shots before Neal can even throw one. Neal pushes the fight to the fence. Thompson is working hard to escape the position which Neal is doing well to hold. Eventually, they separate and return to the striking range with one minute left on the clock. ‘Wonderboy’ lets his hands fly. Neal lands a spinning elbow. Soon after he lands two really nice shots. Thompson is dabbing his eye which is flowing with blood now. They let it all hang out until the final bell sounds.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Stephen Thompson def. Geoff Neal via unanimous decision