Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at Texas’ Geoffrey Neal as he makes his UFC debut against Brian Camozzi at UFC Fight Night 126 in Austin, Texas.
Geoff “Handz of Steel” Neal
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Age: 27
Height: 5’11”
Reach: 76”
Weight Class: Welterweight
Career Record: 8-2
Key Wins: Chase Waldon
Key Losses: None
Background Geoffrey Neal had an impressive debut on the Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series as he knocked out Chase Waldon inside of the opening round. His last four victories have come by knockout.
Strengths
- Athletic striker
- Heavy left hand
- Combines punches well with elbow strikes
- Decent takedown defense
Weaknesses
- Undersized for the weight class
- Does a poor job of checking leg kicks
- Volume is an issue
- Endurance is a liability
- Submission game is limited
Fighter Grade
Offensive Striking: C
Striking Defense: C-
Knockout Power: B+
Athleticism/Speed: C-
Footwork: C
Chin: D+
Offensive Wrestling: D+
Takedown Defense: C-
Submissions: F
Conditioning: D-
Intangibles: D+
Overall Grade: D+
Matchup with Brian Camozzi
Geoff Neal makes his UFC debut in his hometown in Brian Camozzi. Expect the hometown favorite to come out fast in this fight. Camozzi has been knocked out in his past two bouts and Neal knows he will have opportunities early. Both fighters prefer to strike, but their methods are much different. Camozzi doesn’t have significant power and tends to do his best work by accumulation of strikes. On the flip side, Neal is much more like Tyron Woodley on the feet. He has a huge overhand and tends to have it prepared to throw at any open opportunity. Given Camozzi’s shortcomings in the power game, Neal will have little to fear early on and knows he has an excellent opportunity to finish the fight in the opening round. The longer this fight goes, the more it plays into Camozzi’s favor as Neal should down providing Camozzi more chances. Unfortunately for Camozzi, Neal’s power game will be too much to overcome. Buoyed by the home crowd, Neal will fight with motivation from the opening bell and expect him to blitz Camozzi in the first round to earn a first round stoppage victory. Props for this fight have yet to be released, but look for Neal by knockout and Neal in the first round once they do.
UFC Ceiling Geoff Neal reminds me of Tyron Woodley on the feet. He’s a strong welterweight with a huge overhand punch. He has it ready at all times and is capable of knocking out someone with one punch. The rest of his game needs to further develop, but in striking exchanges he has a lot to offer opponents.
Fight Film Check out Geoff Neal in some of his most recent fights:
Geoff Neal vs. Vaughn Govia
Geoff Neal vs. Kevin Holland
Geoff Neal vs. Chase Waldon
