Geoff Neal News

Adam Martin - November 28, 2021

UFC welterweight contender Geoff Neal fired back at Derek Brunson after suggesting that welterweights are avoiding Khamzat Chimaev. Neal recently spoke to MMA journalist James Lynch and he was asked about Brunson’s recent comments about Chimaev, where he questioned why the other welterweights aren’t actively calling out the man who is one of the hottest names in the division. As far as Neal goes, Brunson is off base for several reasons. First of all, Neal believes there is more going on behind the scenes than the public knows about. Second, he pointed out that Neil Magny has called out Chimaev. And third, he just wants Brunson to focus on the 185lbs division.

Adam D Martin - October 12, 2021

An excellent matchup between two of the best welterweights in the UFC is booked as Geoff Neal vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio was added to UFC 269. ESPN first revealed the news that Neal vs. Ponzinibbio is set for UFC 269, which takes place on December 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. UFC 269 is a stacked pay-per-view card that is headlined by UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier vs. Charles Oliveira. As well, the co-main event features UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes against Julianna Pena. Additionally, there is a welterweight grudge match between Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards also on the card. And now we have Neal vs. Ponzinibbio, too.

Adam D Martin - May 9, 2021

Geoff Neal explained why he will “probably” take some time away following his loss to Neil Magny, saying that “my body hasn’t been right.” It wasn’t that long ago that Neal was someone who fans and analysts were pointing to as a potential future title contender at 170lbs, but he has really struggled in his last two fights, dropping decisions to Stephen Thompson and now Magny, who beat him on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 26. In addition to struggling inside the cage, Neal has also dealt with health issues outside of it. It has made the last year of his career extremely difficult from a personal point of view, and now from a professional point of view as well with the losses.

Chris Taylor - May 8, 2021

A welterweight bout featuring perennial division contenders Neil Magny and Geoff Neal took place on the main card of tonight’s UFC Vegas 26 event. Magny (25-8 MMA) had entered the contest looking to rebound from his recent decision loss to Michael Chiesa. Prior to being outpointed by ‘Maverick’, the ‘Haitian Sensation’ had put together a three-fight winning streak, which included a unanimous decision victory over former division kingpin Robbie Lawler.

Cole Shelton - May 4, 2021

Geoff Neal is excited he finally gets the chance to face Neil Magny. Last August, Neal and Magny were scheduled to fight but Neal had serious health problems that hospitalized him and forced him out of the scrap. The two then got different fights and Neal ended up losing a decision to Stephen Thompson back in December, which he says was a good learning experience.

Cole Shelton - May 4, 2021

The 36th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 26 and Bellator 258. We’re first joined by UFC Vegas 26 headliner and ninth-ranked strawweight, Michelle Waterson (2:56). Next, 10th-ranked welterweight, Geoff Neal (14:32) comes on. 12th-ranked lightweight, Diego Ferreira joins the show (30:30). Then, second-ranked Bellator bantamweight, Patrick Mix (45:40) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC heavyweight, Maurice Greene (1:03:26).

Adam Martin - January 28, 2021

After losing a decision to Stephen Thompson his last time out, UFC welterweight contender Geoff Neal now has his sights set on Li Jingliang. After missing a year of action due to health issues, Neal finally returned to the Octagon in the main event of UFC Vegas 17 back in December. In his first five-round UFC fight, Neal was able to go the distance with an elite opponent in Thompson, ultimately losing a unanimous decision. Despite the loss, however, Neal is still a top-15 ranked opponent, coming in at No. 11 in the UFC. Right behind him at No. 12 is Jingliang — fresh off a KO win over Santiago Ponzinibbio — and Neal wants him next.

Harry Kettle - December 23, 2020

Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson has received a potential six-month suspension in the wake of his win over Geoff Neal last weekend. Thompson was able to continue building momentum in the welterweight division with what turned out to be an incredibly comprehensive victory over rising star Geoff Neal. Now, the question turns to who he will fight next as his quest for a UFC title goes on.

Adam Martin - December 20, 2020

UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson showed off his facial cuts following his war against Geoff Neal in the UFC Vegas 17 main event. Despite entering the Octagon as the slight betting underdog to Neal based on closing odds, Thompson won the fight in a blowout, winning 50-45 on all three of the judges’ scorecards. Thompson showed that there are levels to this game as he stayed on the outside and landed nearly 200 significant strikes on Neal, who showed incredible durability by going the full five rounds in what was a shutout win for Thompson.

Christopher Taylor - December 19, 2020

Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson issued a classy statement following his victory over Geoff Neal this evening. In the main event of UFC Vegas 17, ‘Wonderboy’ took on ‘Handz of Steel’ in matchup of perennial division contenders.

Christopher Taylor - December 19, 2020

Geoff Neal has released a statement after having his seven-fight win streak snapped by Stephen Thompson at tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event. Neal (13-3 MMA) was returning to the Octagon for the first time in over a year for tonight’s scrap with ‘Wonderboy’. The Texas native had most previously competed at UFC 245 in December of 2019, where he scored a first round TKO victory over Mike Perry.

Chris Taylor - December 19, 2020

A key welterweight bout between perennial division contenders Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal headlined tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event. Thompson (15-4-1 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since UFC 244 in November of 2019, where he earned a unanimous decision victory over Vicente Luque. Prior that win, ‘Wonderboy’ was coming off the first knockout loss of his career thanks to a superman punch from Anthony Pettis.

Chris Taylor - December 19, 2020

The Octagon remains in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event, a twelve-bout fight card headlined by Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal. Thompson (15-4-1 MMA) is set to return for the first time since UFC 244 in November of 2019, where he earned a unanimous decision victory over Vicente Luque. Prior that win, ‘Wonderboy’ was coming off the first knockout loss of his career thanks to a superman punch from Anthony Pettis.

Tom Taylor - December 18, 2020

On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens for the final time this year with the stacked UFC Vegas 17 card out of the APEX facility in Las Vegas. The UFC Vegas 17 card was originally expected to be headlined by a welterweight showdown between No. 3-ranked contender Leon Edwards and rising prospect Khamzat Chimaev. When Edwards tested positive for COVID-19, however, that fight was rescheduled for January, and a welterweight fight between Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and Geoff Neal—both ranked contenders—was promoted to the main event spot.

Drake Riggs - December 17, 2020

Streaking welterweight contender Geoff Neal is prepared to compete in his biggest fight yet. But originally, he wasn’t supposed to be UFC Vegas 17’s main event. On December 19, Neal is set to take on former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. For the 30-year old Contender Series alum, this will be his first time as a UFC headliner.

Cole Shelton - December 17, 2020

In the main event of the UFC Vegas 17 which is the final UFC event of 2020, Stephen Thompson returns to the Octagon against rising contender, Geoff Neal. Heading into the fight, Neal is a -120 favorite while “Wonderboy” is a -110 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of pros believe it will be Thompson getting the job done and remaining a top-five welterweight.

Cole Shelton - December 15, 2020

Stephen Thompson thinks the UFC views him as a gatekeeper now. For the second-straight fight, Thompson will fight a rising welterweight contender, but this time he will be the main event as he battles Geoff Neal. It is a very intriguing matchup but for “Wonderboy” he knows why the UFC made this fight and that is them wanting to push Neal up the rankings.

Cole Shelton - December 15, 2020

Geoff Neal didn’t expect Stephen Thompson to accept the fight. After Neal was forced to pull out of his fight against Neil Magny in August, he wasn’t sure if he would get a ranked opponent in his return. However, he was then offered Thompson and was surprised “Wonderboy” accepted it.