‘The Doctor’ Looks to Medicate ‘Handz of Steel’ With a Knockout
Geoff Neal competes in the men’s welterweight division and is ready to make his ‘Handz of Steel’ moniker known in his bout with Uroš Medić. However, ‘The Doctor’ is no stranger to battling through adversity to secure a win. With a record of 12-3-0, Uroš will embrace this matchup as an opportunity to break into the rankings. Neal is seeking the same and will rely on the experience from his 16-7-0 record to keep Medić’s TKO power at bay. The matchup is set to take place during UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez at 8:00 PM EST in the Toyota Center.
Neal is no stranger to these events, as his earliest UFC appearance came in 2018 at a UFC Fight Night card. Since then, he has built a reputation with 10 knockouts, two submissions, and seven first-round finishes in his UFC career. Overall, he is a fighter who prefers standing finishes rather than taking the fight to the ground. He also holds the reach advantage in this matchup. The fight likely will not be decided solely on the feet, and prolonged exchanges in close range could result in Neal absorbing more strikes per minute against a dangerous opponent.
‘The Doctor’ will capitalize on any opening he can find, particularly if he can evade Neal’s power. Medić absorbs fewer strikes per minute than his opponent and lands more strikes per minute than ‘Handz of Steel.’ He will look to make those metrics count if the fight goes to a decision. If he can break through Neal’s takedown defense, he may find another path to victory. That outcome seems unlikely, as he has only two submissions in his career, which matches Neal’s total. The matchup points toward a predominantly stand-up battle across the three five-minute rounds.
Once those rounds conclude, Neal enters as the favored fighter. He is aiming to rebound from his previous loss and carries more experience into the Octagon. He matches Medić in terms of knockout power and has consistently shown the ability to defend takedown attempts. Medić could attempt to create angles and counter Neal’s forward pressure, as ‘Handz of Steel’ is known to push the pace and rack up strikes. That approach carries risk if Neal moves recklessly into a counter shot. Neal, however, has demonstrated disciplined striking at range, including his recent first-round finish against Rafael Dos Anjos.
Neal appears poised to take this fight. When comparing the factors above, his ability to maintain control at striking distance stands out. Combined with his experience and early-round intensity, he holds a measurable edge. The second round could prove pivotal, as both fighters are likely to reach that point. Whether a takedown or knockout materializes will become clearer as fatigue sets in. By that stage, Neal’s reach and pressure could become decisive. The final result will have to be watched live this upcoming Saturday, as reaching and striking from a dominant position will be key!
