Geoff Neal fined 30% of his purse for missing weight ahead of Shavkat Rakhmonov fight
Welterweight rivals Geoff Neal and Shavkat Rakhmonov will go head-to-head this weekend at UFC 285 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (Saturday, March 4, 2023).
Geoff Neal, no.7-ranked welterweight contender, has been fined 30% of his purse after missing weight ahead of his highly anticipated fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 285. The fight will proceed as a catchweight bout, with Neal weighing in at 175 pounds, four pounds over the welterweight limit, which includes a one-pound allowance for non-title bouts.
Per UFC officials Geoff Neal has been fined 30% of his fight purse ahead of his welterweight fight against Shakvat Rakhmonov tomorrow night at #UFC285
The incident has caused disappointment among fans who were eagerly awaiting the matchup between the two fighters. Missing weight is a serious issue in MMA as it can give fighters an unfair advantage over their opponents.
Despite the setback, the fight between Geoff Neal and Rakhmonov is still expected to be an exciting and high-stakes matchup. The welterweight division is currently stacked with talent, and both fighters know that a win could propel them closer to the top of the rankings. The UFC has strict rules regarding weight cutting, and fighters who miss weight are subject to financial penalties. In this case, Neal will forfeit 30% of his purse as a penalty for failing to make weight.
Geoff Neal predicts Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane
Geoff Neal has stated his preference for the forthcoming heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. The March 4 pay-per-view event will mark the eagerly awaited return of 'Bones' after a three-year absence.
The 32-year-old welterweight contender from Texas recently gave an interview with Sportskeeda MMA's James Lynch in which he shared his thoughts on the upcoming UFC 285 headliner. Neal stated that he believes Jon Jones will emerge victorious in the highly anticipated bout. 'Handz Of Steel' said:
"I'm going for Jones man. I know he's going up to heavyweight and all the factors and that cr*p, but I just like Jon Jones. It's ridiculous how much hate he gets and he's just not respected as one of the greatest fighters in the sport, but I'm rooting for him. I hope he wins."
Watch the exclusive interview below: