UFC: Neil Magny vs Geoff Neal Preview, Odds, Prediction

Neil Magny and Geoff Neal will bring arguably the most interesting match at tonight’s UFC on ESPN 24. The two welterweight fighters are coming off losses that severely slowed down their rise in the division and now need to win to receive another chance for breaking through. Both of these guys are excellent fighters and are currently stuck in between being the elite and the gatekeepers. This fight might have a significant impact on their future, so we decided to make a preview of the same. Stick for three minutes and read it.

Preview

Neil Magny (+150) lost to Michael Chiesa recently, his first defeat following three straight victories. The failure to Chiesa was mostly because of Magny’s inferiority on the ground, as he couldn’t compete with a much stronger rival. What was a bit odd, is that he didn’t make a proper gameplan, that would hold the distance between him and Chiesa, as Magny’s reach is one of the longest in the division.

The Haitian Sensation is an excellent striker who knows how to hurt with powerful combos and excellent clinch work. His ground game is much weaker, and we can say that he has average knowledge in this area.

Once looking into Magny’s resume, we might find pretty sounding names. He defeated Kelvin Gastelum, Johnny Hendricks, Carlos Condit, and Robbie Lawler. He has a few bonuses won, and ties the record for the most UFC wins in one calendar year.

Geoff Neal (-190) has the nickname Hands of Steel. You can guess why that is. Without any doubt, we might say that this guy has the strongest punch in the division, and all those who faced him can confirm that.

Before losing to Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in his latest bout (via unanimous decision), Neal had seven consecutive victories. Among his victims were Brian Camozzi, Belal Muhammad, Niko Price, and Mike Perry, the last two via TKO.

Neal’s aggressive bursts that include a variety of strikes and punches are his main weapon. His cardio is superb, and once he smells that the opponent starts to slow down, that’s the situation in which he starts to pound the hardest. He isn’t that gifted for grappling nor wrestling, but knows to control the pace and the tempo on the canvas.

Prediction

Magny would have to use the reach this time and stay away from Neal’s strong combinations. His game plan would need to be the same as Adesanya’s against Costa. Leg kicks and punch-and-run combos. However, we strongly believe that even if he applies all the mentioned, Neal will reach his chin at least once, and that is something Magny can’t survive. Overall, even though he has a more colorful background in the UFC, Magny isn’t a better fighter than his rival. Our prediction for tonight’s battle would be Neal via KO. This guy has a rare gift to solve matches with one punch, and in our opinion, he isn’t receiving enough credit for that. Hopefully, for him, following this fight, that too will be changed.

Pick: Neal -190