Geoff Neal is a rising UFC welterweight contenders who appears to have sizable potential going forward. Unfortunately, that potential seems to be causing him more issues than good.
After extending his unbeaten octagon record with a blistering 90-second TKO of Mike Perry at UFC 245 in December, Neal (13-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) started to pitch fights against some of the bigger names at 170 pounds.
The likes of Colby Covington, Robbie Lawler, Santiago Ponzinibbio, Michael Chiesa and essentially anyone else ranked above him is of great interest to Neal. However, that level of interest doesn’t appear to be matched from the other side. According to Neal’s manager and Fortis MMA head coach Sayif Saud, the biggest problem in Neal’s career is finding a willing dance partner.
“Even the guys that say no, they’re like, ‘I want nothing to do with that dude,’” Saud told MMA Junkie. “People do not want to fight Geoff. They just don’t. Who has called out Geoff? Nobody. I don’t blame them. I would not want to deal with Geoff. Certain guys get that (future) champion element around them, and they’re dangerous.”
In addition to Perry, Neal’s UFC hit list also includes the likes of Niko Price and Belal Muhammad. Those are serviceable names, but not ones who have spent any real amount of time facing the cream of the crop in the division.
Saud wants to Neal to fight someone who has, but matchmaking has proven problematic.
“He’s ready,” Saud said. “We’ll fight anybody right now. He’ll fight Colby (Covington), he’ll fight (Tyron) Woodley – he’ll fight anyone right now. I’m so confident in Geoff. Kamaru (Usman) is no joke, and you’re going to have to be ready to fight him one day because I don’t see anybody beating him. He’s so determined and dedicated.”
With the five-month anniversary of his most recent fight rapidly approaching, patience on Neal’s side is starting to ware thin. Still, though, the frustration around not being booked is not going to cause Neal to change his character.
Other fighters have experienced similar situations to Neal and opted to take means such as being more vocal to try and accelerate an opportunity. Saud said his fighter won’t do that, though, and believes Neal will remain true to his personality, even if it means having to take a lesser fight.
“Nobody is lining up for that one,” Saud said. “Him calling people out is just about as bad as it gets. He’s not going to be that guy that just starts talking (expletive) and starts insulting people – that’s just not his character. I told him, ‘Just be you, man. You don’t need to become that way.’ I think Robbie Lawler was a great champion. He never changed who he was. He just stayed himself. I think Geoff can do that.”
Coach says UFC's Geoff Neal struggling to find opponent: 'People do not want to fight'
