AUSTIN, Texas – Geoff Neal hopes some financial security is on the horizon after winning big in his UFC debut on Sunday at UFC Fight Night 126.
Neal (9-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who defeated Brian Camozzi (7-5 MMA, 0-3 UFC) by first-round submission in a FS1-televised welterweight bout at Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas, said afterward that he was essentially in a financial crisis going into the event.
With rent due back home, Neal used his $500 per diem allocation for fight week to make sure he’d have a roof over his head for another month. He’s a part-time fighter who also works as a bartender and server at Texas Roadhouse in Dallas.
Neal hoped a “Performance of the Night” bonus would come his way for his dominant win over Camozzi, but it didn’t materialize. Nevertheless, he hopes winning at UFC Fight Night 126 put him on the road to being a full-time fighter and a better financial situation.
“I really need it,” Neal told MMAjunkie post-fight of a potential bonus. “I’m trying to be a full-time fighter. I work full-time at Texas Roadhouse, struggle to make ends meet. I actually used the per diem that they gave us to pay my rent – used all that (expletive). It’s been a struggle for me. I’m just glad I made it to this point. I was at the tail end of my bank account. I’ve probably got like $50 left in there right now. It’s a sacrifice. You’ve got to risk it for the biscuit.”
Neal said he will return to work at Texas Roadhouse on Friday, likely with some bumps and bruises after receiving a nine stitches to a cut around his right eye. That was the only damage sustained in the contest, though. Neal otherwise dominated the fight and hurt Camozzi with punches before finishing the fight by rear-naked choke.
Despite getting a victory on MMA’s biggest stage, Neal said he’s not trying to make too much of Sunday’s performance.
“I’m trying to stay in a state of calm,” he said. “I’m not trying to let this overwhelm me right now. Yes, I won my UFC debut, but it’s on to the next. T
“There are a lot of tough dudes at 170. I can’t get complacent and comfortable.”
For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 126, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
[sigallery id=”b9FC58pyBakCkgKHJYSaHj” title=”Neal def. Camozzi” type=”sigallery”]
