Geoff Neal has addressed his recent defeat at UFC 319, marking the most significant loss of his professional career. The welterweight contender, known for his toughness, experienced a knockout for only the second time during this event, which took place at the United Center in Chicago.
Previously, Neal had been stopped by Kevin Holland with strikes back in 2017 on the regional circuit, but he had never suffered a knockout during his 13-fight UFC tenure. His run had seen him compete against top-tier 170-pound fighters without showing vulnerability to knockouts—until his recent bout against Carlos Prates.
Details of Neal’s UFC 319 Knockout and His Reaction
During the fight on Saturday night, Carlos Prates landed a spinning elbow strike that caused Neal to collapse immediately. The referee, Jason Herzog, halted the match soon after Neal hit the floor, a decision that has since faced criticism from fans and analysts alike.
Following the loss, Neal took to Instagram to express his disagreement with the stoppage. He wrote,
“Man he didn’t even hit me 4real,”
arguing that the referee intervened prematurely after he slipped. Neal remained positive despite the setback, stating he would return to training promptly to prepare for his next fight and thanking supporters for their encouragement.
UFC President Dana White Updates on Fighter Medical Conditions
In addition to Neal’s knockout, UFC 319 saw a similar situation in the co-main event where Aaron Pico was also knocked out by a spinning technique executed by Lerone Murphy. The double knockout raised concerns regarding the fighters’ health.
During the post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White provided updates on both fighters’ medical states. He confirmed that Pico had been transferred for further evaluation and likely suffered a concussion. Regarding Neal’s condition, White said, “I think he’s okay,” and that Neal was undergoing checks for head and facial injuries. He added,
“But we haven’t heard anything back that anything bad is happening,”
offering some reassurance about Neal’s recovery.
The Importance of Neal’s UFC 319 Outcome and What Lies Ahead
Geoff Neal’s knockout loss at UFC 319 marks a critical moment in his career, interrupting what had been a strong run in the welterweight division. His quick response and commitment to return to training indicate he is focused on bouncing back. The controversy surrounding the referee’s early stoppage has sparked debate over officiating standards in high-stakes fights.
With Neal already expressing interest in future matchups, including an offer to face Carlos Prates again at UFC Rio, fans can expect continued developments as the welterweight contender aims to regain momentum in a competitive field.