UFC Vegas 17 by the numbers: Head-to-head look at Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal

Saturday’s UFC Vegas 17 main event pits the veteran with the misleading nickname against the aptly monickered rising welterweight competitor. LIVE! WATCH ‘UFC VEGAS…

By: Trent Reinsmith | 2 years ago
UFC Vegas 17 by the numbers: Head-to-head look at Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal
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Saturday’s UFC Vegas 17 main event pits the veteran with the misleading nickname against the aptly monickered rising welterweight competitor.

In that contest, the 37-year-old Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson faces 30-year-old Geoff “Hands of Steel” Neal. Thompson has been with the UFC since 2012 while Neal joined the promotion in 2017.

Thompson is the No. 5 ranked fighter in the official UFC welterweight rankings. On Saturday, he tries to hold on to that position, while Neal looks to rise from his No. 11 spot and put his name on the list of potential future 170-pound title challengers.

Thompson began his MMA career on a 13-1 run, but he’s had a rough stretch since late 2016. His record since then is 2-3-1, which includes a draw and a majority decision loss to then-welterweight titleholder Tyron Woodley.

Neal is unbeaten in the UFC. He signed with the promotion after an appearance on Dana White Contender Series and has since gone 5-0 with three knockout wins, one submission victory and one decision. Neal’s career record is 13-2.

UFC Vegas 17, which takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, stream on ESPN+. The fight card is the final UFC event of 2020.

Below, look at how Thompson and Neal match up in key stats ahead of UFC Vegas 17.

UFC Vegas 17: Thompson vs. Neal: head-to-head stats

Stat Thompson Neal
Stat Thompson Neal
Sig. Strikes Lander Per Min. 3.93 6.04
Striking Accuracy 44% 49%
Strikes Absorbed Per Minute 2.73 3.57
Striking Defense 59% 65%
Takedown Avg./15 min 0.36 0.85
Takedown Accuracy 45% 50%
Takedown Defense 78% 92%
Submission Average Per 15 min 0 0.4
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Trent Reinsmith
Trent Reinsmith

Trent Reinsmith is a freelance writer based out of Baltimore, MD. He has been covering sports for more than 15 years, with a focus on MMA for most of that time. Trent focuses on the day-to-day business of MMA — both inside and outside the cage — for Bloody Elbow.

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