Geoff Neal has spoken out for the first time since suffering the worst loss of his career.
The long-time welterweight contender had only been knocked out once heading into UFC 319.
‘Handz of Steel’ was stopped with strikes by Kevin Holland when they met on the regional scene in 2017.
Since then, Geoff Neal has traded blows with the best 170lb fighters on the planet and never looked like being knocked out during his 13-fight UFC career.
Geoff Neal reacts to his UFC 319 loss
Everything changed when Carlos Prates caught him with a spinning elbow on Saturday night.
Geoff Neal immediately collapsed to the floor, where he remained for quite some time at UFC 319.
Referee Jason Herzog was slammed for an early stoppage during another fight at the United Center in Chicago.
Neal pretended to pile on the in-cage official when he first spoke about his tough night at the office.
“Man he didn’t even hit me 4real,” Neal wrote on Instagram.
“I slipped and the ref stepped in too early. This some bulls—!
“Lol nah seriously good s— from @thenightmare_170.
“Still in good spirits. Gonna be back in the gym Monday getting ready for the next one.
“Thanks for all the love.”
Dana White provides UFC 319 medical update
Aaron Pico was knocked out by the same shot when he fought Lerone Murphy in the co-main event.
There was mass concern for the safety of Pico and Neal after their bad KO losses at UFC 319.
Dana White provided a medical update on both men during his post-fight press conference.
“Pico was transferred, and I haven’t heard anything about Geoff,” the UFC CEO said.
“I think he’s okay. But Pico, I’m no doctor, but I’m going to say he has a concussion, for sure.
“But we haven’t heard anything back that anything bad is happening.
“He’s getting checked for his head and face.”