Geoff Neil is a professional mixed martial artist who fights in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The Texas native has risen through the ranks to reach the position he is now. As it is, his record of more than 14 career fights explains why he is globally recognized as well as by his nickname ‘Handz of Steel’
While he is known for taking and receiving a good thrashing as well as facing great opponents in the octagon, this is not all there is to know about him. It turns out that he worked as a server to support himself at different points in his life. Also, the father of one daughter has struggled with health challenges which almost cost him his life.
His Background
Geoff Neal was born in Austin, Texas on August 28, 1990, to Vici Frazier Neal and Edward Neal. Though not much is known about his childhood, one thing is clear, he has a sister who goes by the username Diamondlachey on Instagram.
He started pursuing MMA at the University. As is generally reported, he started out as a football player and even went to a private University on a football scholarship.
However, he had a change of heart while at the University because he did not like the football program there. Subsequently, Neal switched to MMA and started training under coach Sayif Saud.
During his amateur years, he went through many circuits and made himself a force to reckon with. Understandably, this explains a record of 6 wins and 1 loss at the time.
Geoff Neal Made his Professional Debut in 2012
After years of fighting as an amateur, the Austin native turned professional in 2012 in a match against David McAfee. He fought under Xtreme: Combat Pro at Xtreme Combat Productions, Blood & Glory.
Neal gave McAfee a good thrashing and won via submission after giving his opponent a rear choke. He was able to win his next match against Zack Board. However, he soon faced his first professional defeat when he faced off with Martin Sano on April 19, 2013.
Thankfully, this was only a minor setback he overcame as he won several matches afterward.
He worked as a Server to Support Himself
Like many athletes, success did not come easy for Neal. In his case, he had to work as a server at a Texas Roadhouse to support himself.
Even as a professional fighter, he had dabbled with serving at low points. In one instance, the fighter made it clear that he went back to serving when he could not get bookings.
In 2020, he revealed that he is not getting fights despite his several calls to fighters like Santiago Ponzinibbio and Michael Chiesa. He explained that it was because he was a huge risk for fighters ranked above him to lose to him. As one would expect, he went back to serving
Though those days seem to be a thing of the past, the boxer still serves when he is less busy.
Unsurprisingly, when some fans recognized him serving at the Texas Roadhouse in Grand Prairie, he defended his decision to do this. According to him, it is not a pay issue but it helps to keep him busy because when he is not, he tends to do stupid sh*t.
He Made His UFC Debut at the Age of 27
For many fighters like Raul Rosas Jr, they made their UFC debut at a young age but this is not the case for Geoff Neal who made his at the age of 27 in 2018.
While it is generally believed that one should join the MMA promotion before 25, Neal is one of the few fighters who have proven that hard work, determination, and skill are also important.
First off, he gave MMA fans and promoters a glimpse of his skill at Dana White’s Contender Series 3 in 2017. He knocked Chase Waldon using his ‘Handz of Steel’ and won via TKO.
Interestingly, he had a mindset of determination and survival when he faced off with Brian Camozzi in his debut promotional match on February 18, 2018. He won in the first round via submission.
To understand his need for survival, Neal was struggling to pay his rent as well as make ends meet. But with a $20,000 purse and a $3500 Reebok bonus, he was able to settle the issues he had and even stash some money in the bank.
As expected, the victory pushed him to put more effort into winning his fights. He has since faced off with many contenders in the octagon.
Neal Almost Lost His Life in 2020
Though he had to fight to survive becoming a star, Geoff has also had his share of health challenges. In August 2020, Geoff was admitted to the intensive care unit after he went into a septic shock.
Though it was traced to an unspecified infection, the fighter suspected meningitis. To make matters worse, he was also found to be suffering from congestive heart and kidney failure.
To further complicate issues, he was pulled out of fighting until December of that year. Thankfully, he regained his health and is now fully into his craft.
See Also: Albert Duraev: Everything To Know About The MMA Fighter
The ‘Handz of Steel’ is also a Dad
Though Neal gives off the warrior vibe when in the octagon, he can be affectionate. Going through his Facebook bio, he indicates that he is a father among many descriptive words he uses for himself.
His daughter, Ahni Rae was born on November 25, 2017. Going through his social media updates, he is an adorable father who loves to share moments with his precious daughter.
Moreover, his motivation for working as a fighter and at a roadhouse was so he could provide for his daughter and her mother. As of this writing, it’s unclear if he is together with his daughter’s mother or not.
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