Two fighters looking for their first UFC win meet on Sunday in Texas at UFC Fight Night 126, as Brian Camozzi takes on Geoffrey Neal. Camozzi has the MMA pedigree, as he is the brother of Chris Camozzi, but Brian has yet to find any success in the UFC, losing both of his fights. He will go up against Neal who is making his UFC debut. This bout is one of four on the FS1 portion of the preliminary card, leading up to a five-fight main card on FS1, featuring Donald Cerrone vs. Yancy Medeiros.
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Brian Camozzi (7-4, 0-2 UFC)
Camozzi has not been able to handle either of his UFC opponents, as he was knocked out by Randy Brown in December of 2016 and he was knocked out by Chad Laprise at UFC 213 last July. It is already looking like Camozzi got a UFC spot based on what his brother did.
Camozzi realizes that losing three straight fights in the UFC would be a major problem, but he said to Combat Press that he is not feeling the pressure. “It obviously sucks. No one wants to lose two fights in a row,” Camozzi said, “But I’m just really taking the pressure off for this fight. The worst thing that could have happened to me already happened, so I’m just going to let it go, and whatever happens, happens.”
Camozzi said that he expects a high energy fight against Neal. “I’m really going to push the pace with him,” Camozzi said. “He’s used to being the bully in fights and he’s powerful striker with a good left hand, so I’m going to have to be the bully.”
Rarely do Camozzi fights go the distance, as only two of his 11 fights have gone to a decision.
Geoffrey Neal (8-2, UFC debut)
Neal did much of his early work in Legacy FC, but his last fight was in Dana White’s Contender Series 3 where he knocked out Chase Waldon in the third round. Neal has been a fighter that usually finishes his opponents. He has five knockouts in his career and he has one submission victory.
UFC Picks
Neal should be listed as a slight favorite in this fight simply because Camozzi has done nothing in the UFC up to this point. Neal has the nickname “Handz of Steel,” and he figures to have the edge in striking against Camozzi. This fight is not one that is likely to be decided on the mat, as Camozzi has shown no indication that he wants to do anything other than trade big shots. That is probably not a good strategy in this fight, as Neal should have the edge. I am a little leery about taking Neal though, as we really don’t know how good he is, as his level of competition has been weak and Camozzi has to be motivated not to lose three straight fights. I think the better choice is to play the rounds to go under, as both of these fighters have shown a strong ability to finish their fights.
UFC Fight Night 126 takes place on Saturday, February 18, 2018 at the Frank Edwin Center in Austin, Texas with a welterweight match between Donald Cerrone and Yancy Medeiros as the event headliner. There are five fights on the main FS1 card and seven preliminary bouts, with four set to be shown on FS1 and three on UFC Fight Pass.
Main Card (FS1)
Welterweight – Donald Cerrone -155 vs. Yancy Medeiros
Heavyweight – Marcin Tybura -150 vs. Derrick Lewis
Lightweight – James Vick -230 vs. Franciso Trinaldo
Welterweight – Thiago Alves vs. Curtis Millender
Lightweight – Sage Northcult vs. Thiabault Gouti
Preliminary Card (FS1)
Lightweight – Jared Gordon vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira
Welterweight – Brian Camozzi vs. Geoffrey Neal
Flyweight – Roberto Sanchez vs. Joby Sanchez
Women’s Bantamweight – Sarah Moras vs. Lucie Pudilova
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Featherweight – Steven Peterson vs. Brandon Davis
Welterweight – Alex Morono vs. Josh Burkman
Middleweight – Oskar Piechota vs. Tim Williams
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