Jeff Neal and Rafael dos Anjos, UFC 308 ceremonial weigh-in Credit: Youtube/UFC
Rafael dos Anjos returned to welterweight at UFC 308 and was looking for a two-fight bust when he faced Jeff Neal.
Neal also lost back-to-back bouts to undefeated welterweights Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry.
Both fighters were forever in need of a win. Former UFC lightweight champion dos Anjos will make his 49th professional fight.
Both fighters faced each other in southpaw stances in the center of the cage. Neal landed a straight left, briefly knocking Dos Anjos down. Shortly after Neal threw another left hand, which partially landed, but dos Anjos crumpled to the ground in agony. After clutching his knee and screaming in pain, the match was called off by referee Mark Smith. Dos Anjos was clearly in pain, but it was certainly a disappointing result for the future Hall of Fame candidate.
“Hands of Steel” Jeff Neal scored his first win against a former champion, and his striking from the opening bell was very impressive. Neal called out welterweight champion Belal Muhammad after his win. In their 2019 bout, Neal earned a unanimous decision victory over the reigning champion.
The severity of dos Anjos’ injury has yet to be diagnosed, but given the visual pain he was suffering, it could be a long road back to the cage for the 39-year-old fighter. Neal improved his UFC record to 8 wins and 4 losses with the TKO victory.
Official result: Jeff Neal def. Rafael dos Anjos, TKO (injured), round 1, 1:30
