Las Vegas, NV — UFC welterweight Geoff Neal believes, as many have suggested, that his fight against Vicente Luque at UFC Vegas 59 was the best performance of his career.
“I really feel like yeah, it was probably [the best performance]. Mentally, I feel like everything finally just clicked this fight,” he told media outlets including Cageside Press following the fight. “Everything’s just there. It was kind of getting there before the whole sepsis thing, and then it kind of fell off a little bit. Now I’m back on track to where I was.”
Neal (15-4) suffered a near-fatal bout of sepsis that led to congestive heart failure and kidney troubles a few years ago. Since then “there’s been this fear of gassing out, this fear of just like, dying from being too tired that I’m slowly trying to get over,” he admitted.
That hit in the second round against Luque. But, Neal also noted, “physically, mentally, just everything all around I feel way better than I did before.”
After the win, Neal called out another Brazilian welterweight, Gilbert Burns. By the time Neal had made his way backstage on Saturday, “Durinho” had given his reply.
“I think Gilbert makes perfect sense,” Neal stated, suggesting that a lack of activity from Jorge Masvidal might work in his favor. “I think [Burns] tweeted something, he actually agreed to it, but that’s contingent on if Jorge accepts the fight [with Burns] or not. But if Jorge isn’t trying to fight, which he’s probably not, then me and Gilbert’s going to fight.”
Finally someone called me out! About time! Congrats @handzofsteelmma ✊🏾✊🏾 Let’s see if Jorge will show up! Otherwise we might dance 🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️ #UFCVegas59
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) August 7, 2022
Going from a near-death experience to a top ten ranking in the UFC is not doubt impressive. But, Neal told Cageside Press, the work is not done.
“It’s not number one. I don’t fell any emotions [about it] really, honestly. I’m just ready to go eat some food, maybe a couple drinks, get back home and get back to the grind. I’m happy, I’m satisfied with the win — I’m always happy to get the knockout, that’s what I love to do — but this isn’t the end goal, this isn’t the main goal. So keep on pushing until I get this belt.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 59 post-fight press conference with Geoff Neal above.
