Geoff Neal

Geoffrey Charles Neal (born August 28, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background Neal was born in Austin, Texas, United States. He played football at private university Texas Lutheran. However, he did not like the football program there and transitioned to compete in MMA, coached under Sayif Saud.

Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series Neal appeared on Dana White's Contender Series 3 and faced Chase Waldon. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round and was signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Neal made his promotional debut on February 18, 2018, against Brian Camozzi at UFC Fight Night 126. He won the bout via submission in the first round.

Neal next faced Frank Camacho on September 8, 2018, at UFC 228. He won the fight via knockout in the second round.

Neal faced Belal Muhammad on January 19, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 143. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Neal faced Niko Price on July 27, 2019, at UFC 240. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Neal faced Mike Perry on December 14, 2019, at UFC 245. He won the fight via first-round technical knockout.

Neal was expected to face Neil Magny on August 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 175. However, Neal withdrew from the event due to health issues and he was replaced by Robbie Lawler.

Neal faced Stephen Thompson on December 19, 2020, in the headliner of UFC Fight Night 183. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Neal faced Neil Magny at UFC on ESPN 24 on May 8, 2021. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Neal faced Santiago Ponzinibbio on December 11, 2021, at UFC 269. He won the back-and-forth bout via split decision. 10 out of 14 media scores gave it to Neal.

Neal faced Vicente Luque on August 6, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 40. He won the fight via knockout in round three. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Neal was scheduled to face Shavkat Rakhmonov on January 14, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 217. However, on December 29, Neal pulled out due to undisclosed injury. The pair was rescheduled for UFC 285 on March 4, 2023. At the weigh-ins on March 3, Neal weighed in at 175 pounds, 4 pounds over the non-title welterweight limit. As a result, the bout proceeded as a catchweight and Neal was fined 30% of his fight purse, which went to Rakhmonov. He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round. Despite his failure to make weight, UFC president Dana White was so pleased with the fight and impressed with Neal's outing that Neal still received his share of the Fight of the Night award.

Neal was scheduled to face Ian Machado Garry at UFC 292 on August 19, 2023. However, Neal withdrew due to undisclosed health reasons, and was replaced by Neil Magny. A bout with Garry was rescheduled and took place on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298. Neal lost in a competitive bout by split decision.

Neal faced Rafael dos Anjos on October 26, 2024, at UFC 308. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one after dos Anjos suffered a knee injury.

Neal was scheduled to face Carlos Prates on April 12, 2025 at UFC 314. However, Neal withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and the bout was subsequently cancelled. The bout has since been re-scheduled and took place on August 16, 2025 at UFC 319. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.

Neal was scheduled to face Kevin Holland in a rematch on February 21, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 267, after their first meeting in January 2017. However, for undisclosed reasons, Holland was replaced by Uroš Medić. Neal lost the fight by knockout in the first round.

Neal was scheduled to face Chidi Njokuani on August 15, 2026 at UFC 330. However, Neal had to withdraw for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Joel Álvarez.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Two times) UFC.com Awards 2023: Ranked #4 Fight of the Year vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov MMA Junkie 2019 Under-the-Radar Fighter of the Year Bleacher Report 2023 #4 Ranked UFC Fight of the Year

Personal life Neal worked as a server at a Texas Roadhouse in Dallas for ten years until his fight with Mike Perry in late 2019. In June 2020, Neal revealed he had returned to his job as a server after failing to get fights scheduled.

In August 2020, Neal revealed he went into septic shock after suffering from an unspecified infection. Neal was admitted to the intensive care unit where it was determined he was also experiencing congestive heart and kidney failure. After taking some time to recover, Neal resumed his mixed martial arts career in December 2020.

On November 25, 2021, Neal was arrested in Collin County, Texas on charges of driving under the influence and unlawful possession of a firearm, two misdemeanors. He was later released from jail on $2,000 bond.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Uroš Medić KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Carlos Prates KO (spinning back elbow) UFC 319

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Rafael dos Anjos TKO (knee injury) UFC 308

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Ian Machado Garry Decision (split) UFC 298

Anaheim, California, United States Loss

Shavkat Rakhmonov Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 285

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Vicente Luque KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Hill

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Santiago Ponzinibbio Decision (split) UFC 269

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Neil Magny Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Stephen Thompson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Mike Perry TKO (head kick and punches) UFC 245

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Niko Price TKO (punches) UFC 240

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Belal Muhammad Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw

Brooklyn, New York, United States Win

Frank Camacho KO (head kick) UFC 228

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Brian Camozzi Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros

Austin, Texas, United States Win

Chase Waldon TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 3

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Bilal Williams TKO (punches) LFA 16

Dallas, Texas, United States Loss

Kevin Holland TKO (punches) Xtreme Knockout 34

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Ty Flores TKO (punches) Rumble Time Promotions: Rage

St. Charles, Missouri, United States Win

Charlie Ontiveros TKO (retirement) Legacy FC 37

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Christopher Anthony Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 32

Bossier City, Louisiana, United States Win

Armando Servin Decision (unanimous) Xtreme Knockout 19

Dallas, Texas, United States Loss

Martin Sano Submission (rear-naked choke) 24/7 Entertainment 9

Odessa, Texas, United States Win

Zack Board TKO (punches) Xtreme Knockout 17

Arlington, Texas, United States Win

David McAfee Submission (rear-naked choke) Blood & Glory 1

Robstown, Texas, United States