UFC 292 has experienced another setback as Geoff Neal has withdrawn from his scheduled fight against Ian Garry on August 19. Neal’s withdrawal is reportedly due to undisclosed health issues. The event, taking place at the TD Garden in Boston, is headlined by a bantamweight championship fight between Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley. Neal’s exit adds to the list of notable athletes who have withdrawn from the event for various reasons, including Henry Cejudo, Rob Font, and Song Yadong.
Geoff Neal’s Withdrawal and Ian Garry’s Reaction
In response to Neal’s withdrawal, Garry posted a video of his reaction on social media. He expressed his disappointment but remained committed to fighting at the event in Boston. Garry is a rising prospect in the UFC and will likely seek a new opponent for UFC 292.
Geoff Neal’s UFC Career
Prior to his withdrawal, the 32-year-old Neal had experienced both victories and losses in his UFC career. He had a two-fight winning streak that was halted in his last outing, where he suffered a third-round submission defeat to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 285 on March 4. Neal’s promotional record stands at 7-3, with notable wins over fighters such as Vicente Luque, Santiago Ponzinibbio, Mike Perry, and Belal Muhammad.
As the event approaches, it remains to be seen who will replace Neal in the fight against Ian Garry. With a slew of fighters withdrawing from the card, UFC 292’s lineup may continue to change leading up to the event. However, the anticipation for the bantamweight championship bout between Sterling and O’Malley remains high, ensuring that fans will be eager to watch the event unfold.