.png)
Rafael dos Anjos marked his 40th birthday in the Octagon at UFC 308, but celebrations took a backseat as the former lightweight champion faced a tough TKO loss against Geoff Neal. The fight, anticipated as a test of dos Anjos’ experience against Neal’s powerful striking, concluded abruptly after just 90 seconds in the first round due to a leg injury that left dos Anjos unable to continue.
The action unfolded swiftly, with Neal taking early control. From the outset, Neal’s sharp striking became evident, landing a series of punches that dropped dos Anjos to the mat. Although dos Anjos managed to get back on his feet, Neal’s relentless pressure persisted. A well-timed combination from Neal once again sent dos Anjos down, this time clutching his leg in pain. The veteran signaled to referee Mark Smith that he couldn’t continue, leading to an immediate stoppage and an unexpected end to the fight.
The exact nature of dos Anjos’ leg injury remains unknown, but the impact on his fight strategy was evident. The loss adds to a challenging period for dos Anjos, marking his third consecutive defeat and his fourth in his last five appearances, a difficult stretch for the seasoned UFC veteran.
For Geoff Neal, however, this win was a positive turn. With a record now at 8-4 in the UFC, Neal ended a two-fight losing streak and demonstrated his resilience and skill in the welterweight division. Despite the sudden stoppage, Neal embraced the victory, using his post-fight interview to share his determination to rise.
“I want that rematch with Belal Muhammad,” Neal declared, referencing his 2019 win over the current UFC welterweight champion at UFC Brooklyn.
Neal’s ambitions to reclaim a spot among the division’s elite appear as clear as ever. As for dos Anjos, this loss serves as a reminder of the tough realities of fighting at the elite level, especially when injuries strike at the worst possible moment.
Komentarze