Rafael dos Anjos was back to welterweight at UFC 308, looking to snap a two-fight skid when he took on Geoff Neal.
Neal had also dropped back-to-back fights, to undefeated welterweights Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry.
Both fighters are perennial who were desperately in need of a win. The former UFC lightweight champion Dos Anjos was entering his 49th professional bout with this matchup.
Both fighters met in the middle of the cage, each in the southpaw stance. Neal landed a straight left hand that briefly knocked down Dos Anjos. Moments after Neal threw another left hand that partially landed, but Dos Anjos collapsed to the ground in agony. After grabbing at his knee and screaming in pain, the fight was called off by referee Mark Smith. Dos Anjos was in obvious pain in what was certainty a disappointing outcome for a potential future hall of famer.
“Hands of Steel” Geoff Neal grabbed his first win over a former champion, and looked highly impressive with his striking from the opening bell. Neal called out welterweight champion Belal Muhammad after the victory. In their 2019 matchup Neal earned a unanimous decision victory over the current champ.
The significance of Dos Anjos injury has yet to be diagnosed, but based on the visual pain he was in it may be a long road back to the cage for the 39-year old. Neal improved is UFC record to 8-4 with the TKO victory.
Official Result: Geoff Neal def. Rafael dos Anjos by TKO (injury), Round 1, 1:30
