Stephen Thompson out strikes Geoff Neal in five rounds

Stephen Thompson put on a striking display in a unanimous decision win against Geoff Neal at UFC Fight Night 183 on Saturday, Dec. 19.

Thompson picked apart Neal with accuracy and volume on his way to a dominant five-round affair at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal Preview

The Ultimate Fighting Championships holds its final event of 2020 with UFC Fight Night 183 on Saturday, Dec. 19.

Headlining the event are two ranked welterweights in Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The co-main event features a bantamweight affari between the former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and the surging Marlon Vera.

Thompson, a former title challenger, has remained near the top of the welterweight division for the past five years. “Wonderboy” last fought over a year ago, rebounding from two-straight defeats with a unanimous decision win against Vincente Luque at UFC 244 in November 2019.

Neal is on a seven-fight win streak, including an unbeaten octagon record of 5-0. Like Thompson, Neal competed over a year ago, defeating Mike Perry via first-round knockout at UFC 245 in December 2019.

He was slated to face Neil Magny at UFC Fight Night on Aug. 12, but a health scare removed him from the card. Neal had an infection that went septic, which hospitalized him due to heart failure.

Here is how the welterweight bout between Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal went down at UFC Fight Night 183, including round-by-round scoring. For full results of the event, check them out right here.

UFC Vegas 17 results – Thompson vs. Neal

Stephen Thompson picks apart Geoff Neal

ROUND 1

Both men waiting for an opening. Thompson goes up top, Neal covers. Thompson trying to mix it up, changing levels, picking spots. Neal is forcing Thompson to the outside. Neal comes in and lands a right hand, Thompson counters with a right hand. Thompson slips after a high kick. “Wonderboy” lands the left jab. Thompson actively switching stances. Thompson throws a switch kick. tot he body. Neal is pressuring forward, but Thompson is landing more volume. Neal lets his hands go as he comes forward. Thompson jabs, but Neal lands and overhand left. Thompson lands a left hand. Looks like both men clash heads. Thompson has a cut above his right eye and Neal receives a cut on his right eye too. Both men get back to work briefly before the round closes.

MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Thompson

ROUND 2

Thompson is right back to work, lands the right hand. Both men using leg kicks. Neal ducks under for a takedown, clinches with Thompson against the cage. Thompson gets free and lands immediately. Thompson landing his shots and getting out smoothly. Thompson goes to the body with a kick. Thompson lands a one, two combination to the body.  Neal is centered and following Thompson, but “Wonderboy” is using his speed to his advantage. Thompson lands a side kick to the body. Neal with a double kick to the left leg of Thompson. Neal’s eye is really bleeding. Thompson peppering Neal with the jab. Neal corners Thompson and lands, Thompson lands too.

MyMMANews.com scores it 20-18 for Thompson

🥋 Beautiful fluid offense from @WonderboyMMA! #UFCVegas17 pic.twitter.com/Z72TZYtpuh

— UFC (@ufc) December 20, 2020

ROUND 3

Thompson staying active.Neal lands a right and a left, backs up Thompson. Neal presses Thompson against the cage. Neal making it a dirtier fight here. Neal controlling. Thompson breaks free. Thompson keeps going in and out with his strikes, making it tough for Neal to counter. Neal keeps pressuring, following Thompson. Neal clinches and puts Thompson against the cage. Thompson fakes a jab and lands high with a head kick. Thompson slips against the cage, regains balance. Neal lands a kick to the body. Third round was close.

MyMMANews.com scores it 30-27

ROUND 4

Thompson switching stances often. Thompson lands a jab. Neal keeps coming forward, Thompson circling. Neal lands the jab, tries to keep coming forward. Thompson greets Neal with a jab and right hand as Neal comes in. Neal cliches with Thompson after a brief exchange. Neal with a spinning back fist and a jab. Thompson lands a jab. Thompson just keeps throwing strikes, fast ad technical. Neal slips on a kick attempt. Thompson working the jab, but then slips after a kick. Thompson asks Neal if he is OK. Neal clinches with Thompson. Thompson may be up four rounds here. Thompson tells his corner his right leg is hurt.

MyMMANews.com scores it 40-26 for Thompson

ROUND 5

Thompson has swelling on his right knee. Neal throwing heavy, both men keep trading. Thompson circles and peppers Neal. Thompson’s knee buckles a little. Thompson keeps moving, throws his right leg to the body. Thompson puts punches together to the body. Both men throwing leather here. Neal lands a jab as Thompson throws a kick. Thompson changing angles. Neal punching with power, but Thompson is more frequent with his attacks. Neal shoots for a takedown, Thompson defending against the cage. Thompson free. Neal swings for the fences. Thompson is in and out with his strikes. Both men slugging to the finish.

MyMMANews.com scores it 50-45 for Thompson

Official decision: Stephen Thompson def. Geoff Neal via unanimous decision [50-45 3x]

What a main event! 👏

📆 @WonderboyMMA and @HandzOfSteelMMA giving us a main event worthy to close this crazy year on! #UFCVegas17 pic.twitter.com/piCDteidO0

— UFC (@ufc) December 20, 2020

Connor Northrup

Connor Northrup once covered municipal meetings and promised himself never again. He is now combining his passion for Mixed Martial Arts and reporting all into one.

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