UFC Brooklyn: Geoff Neal bloodies, batters Belal Muhammad to unanimous decision win

Geoff Neal leaves Belal Muhammad bloodied and bruised en route to a unanimous decision at UFC Brooklyn.

Geoff Neal defeated Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Brooklyn on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019 live from the Barclay’s Center.

Muhammad (14-2) enters the bout on a four-fight win streak, the best of his UFC career. Standing opposite him is Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series veteran (Neal) who is coming off an emphatic second-round head kick KO of the ultra-tough Frank Camacho.

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“I wanted the finish, but Belal is a tough opponent,” Neal told Jon Anik after the fight.

ROUND 1

No touch of the gloves. Muhammad with a lot of unorthodox movement and floating hands. Neal keeps a high guard. Nothing lands 40 seconds in. Neal with most of the forward pressure. Neal barrels forward and throws a combination, but Muhammad avoids it. Some nice stomps to the knee for Muhammad. Neal lands on Muhammad as they fall into a clinch against the cage. Muhammad escapes and we are back center. A nice digging body kick for Neal. An elbow lands for Muhammad. The two are starting to pick up the pace and exchange strikes. Muhammad with a long-range shot, but he gets in deep and locks the hand. He almost gets Neal now but Neal posts off his arm and gets back up. Muhammad fires some hard shots as Neal stands up. A step in knee lands on Muhammad’s body. Neal blocks a kick from Muhammad and fires back with a combo. You can see some redness on Muhammad’s nose. A right-hand sets up a thudding left that clocks Muhammad. A nice jumping knee from Muhammad in response. There is some blood coming from Muhammad’s nose as the round ends.

Fansided’s Score: 10-9 for Neal.

ROUND 2

A head kick from Muhammad grazes Neal as he presses forward. Neal puts Muhammad against the cage and unloads with punches. A lot of these are landing. Muhammad gets out of there and the two meet in the center. A counter uppercut lands for Muhammad. A huge counter left-hand lands flush for Neal. Muhammad shoots for the takedown, uses chain wrestling and almost gets Neal down. Neal rolls with the momentum and bounces right back to his feet. A left lands for Muhammad. Another nice left for Neal. That thing is accurate. A sharp left body uppercut lands for Muhammad. That one must have hurt. Another big left straight catches Muhammad. We are seeing more forward movement from Muhammad in round two. Muhammad shoots and has Neal against the cage. Neal gets the under hooks and pushes Muhammad away. A nice one-two for Neal. Muhammad tries to dig in with another one of those uppercuts to the body. A snapping right body kick catches Neal. Muhammad moves forward and gets eats a huge hook. Neal with another big hook that clips Muhammad. That one staggered Muhammad and Neal looks for the kill as the round comes to a close. Muhammad survives.

Fansided’s Score: 10-9 for Neal, 20-18 overall for Neal.

ROUND 3

A one-two lands for Neal about 30 seconds into round three. Muhammad eats a left straight from Neal. Muhammad shoots for a single leg but Neal sprawl and pushes Muhammad’s head away. A nice body kick lands for Neal. Another uppercut to the body for Muhammad. Neal sprawls on Muhammad’s shot. Several left hands bounce off Muhammad’s face and one of them drops the fighter. Neal takes top position and looks for ground-and-pound but Muhammad defends well. Neal lets Muhammad back to his feet and the two return to center. Another left for Neal. And another left! Two minutes left in the final round. A head kick partially lands for Neal. Muhammad throws a looping right but Neal gets the glove up. Neal fires a massive head kick and it staggers Muhammad. Neal follows up as Muhammed drops to the floor. Neal looks to get up and Muhammad almost takes him down. Back to their feet. Flying knee attempt by Muhammad. He will not back down! A bloodied and battered Muhammad presses forward and almost catches Neal. 20 seconds left. Muhammad rushes forward with uppercuts. 10 seconds left. Neal retreats as Muhammad lunges forward. That is our fight.

Fansided’s Score: 10-9 for Neal, 30-27 overall for Neal.

Neal (11-2) improves his undefeated UFC run to 3-0. The versatile fighter has won by submission, knockout, and unanimous decision in his three fights. Whatsmore, each of those fights ended in a different round.

UFC Brooklyn took place on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Follow along with FanSided throughout the night for all your live results and highlights.