2020 has not been good to top UFC welterweight prospect, Geoff Neal. First of all, the promotion had the most difficult time getting someone to accept a fight with Neal. With nobody accepting fights, Neal had to get a second job to help with expenses.
Finally, Neal was booked to fight Neil Magny (23-7) on August 29th. It was a big fight for both men as they both looked to break inside the top ten. Well, Neal broke the news himself last night that due to a health scare, the fight is off.
Former UFC Champion Steps In
You have to feel for Neal after the year he’s had. The UFC worked quickly once they were informed that Neal wouldn’t be able to take the fight. MMA DNA first reported last night that the promotion was close to getting a former champ to stepping in.
Multiple sources confirm to us that Robbie Lawler (@Ruthless_RL) is the frontrunner to replace Geoff Neal on August 29th to fight Neil Magny (@NeilMagny). #UFCVegas7
We would like to wish Geoff Neal a speedy recovery.
— MMA DNA (@MMADNANL) August 10, 2020
Robbie Lawler (28-14) will be making his UFC return on August 29th against Magny. We haven’t seen the former champion since last August when he lost to Colby Covington at UFC on ESPN 5.
The former champion has hit a bit of a rough patch going 1-4 in his last five fights. Although all four of those losses were against guys that were in the top five of the UFC‘s welterweight division at the time.
This is a big time fight for both Magny and Lawler. For Lawler, it’s a chance to right the ship. He’s lost three and a row, but Magny is a winnable fight for Lawler. A win is much needed for Ruthless.
Magny is looking for his third win in 2020. If Magny can defeat Lawler, he should be guaranteed a top ten opponent in his next fight. Both men currently rank just outside the top ten in the UFC’s welterweight division.