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Friday, Dec 18, 2020

Geoff Neal Takes “Pride” in His “Dignity”, Won’t Start Trash Talking

Geoff Neal (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Geoff Neal has generated buzz in the MMA world through his accomplishments in the cage, rather than by flinging insults around, and it sounds like that’s not going to change.

Since the 30-year-old welterweight made his way into the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series, Neal has gone 5-0. At UFC Vegas 17 on Saturday, he’ll battle longtime contender Stephen Thompson in the main event.

While talking with the media leading up to the bout, Neal was asked about the trash-talking side to the sport and how some fighters use it to secure bigger bouts.

The explosive fighter said this (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“Kids join martial arts gyms not to be an assh*le and talk sh*t and run around the streets,” Neal said. “They join in for self-defense, to learn about respect and integrity. When I see these fighters going out there and making a fool of themselves, I don’t like it. Yeah, it draws numbers and that’s how they say you make money, but you’ve don’t got to sell yourself just to make some cash.

“That might be Colby (Covington). It might be his personality that he’s suppressed for so long, and now he’s just letting it loose. Who knows? Who knows if it’s an act or not. It seems like an act, but some of the stuff he says, he might really be speaking from the heart. What you see is what you get from me. As far as a human being, man to man, this is who I am.”

The welterweight, who fights out of Harker Heights, Texas, also said this.

“I take pride in my dignity,” Neal said. “It’s not worth it to me at all. I’m not going to do something or be someone who I’m not just for more money. That’s not what I’m here for and it’s not the legacy I want to leave behind.”

Neal (13-2) hasn’t competed since last December when he quickly stopped Mike Perry.

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posted by FCF Staff @ 11:19 am
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