Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
According to Geoff Neal, Michael Chiesa wants no business with him.
Geoff Neal has been left frustrated by Michael Chiesa after numerous attempts of calling him out have gone unanswered.
Neal (13-2) was signed to the UFC in 2017 after impressing on Dana White’s Contender Series. “Handz of Steel” has gone undefeated in the promotion since debuting in 2018, picking up stoppage wins against Mike Perry and Niko Price last year.
Now a clear threat to the top of the welterweight division, Neal says Chiesa is purposely avoiding a fight with him.
“I really just want to fight Chiesa because he’s been ignoring me,” Neal told MMA Junkie. “Like, at first it was just I want to fight him just to fight him, but now I want to fight him because I feel like he’s being a (expletive). I want that Chiesa fight just off personal (expletive) because he’s acting like I’m invisible to him. I’ve been calling him out for (expletive) months. So, I want that fight. (Expletive) him.”
Chiesa (17-4) has won his last three fights at 170-pounds, most recently defeating Rafael Dos Anjos by decision in January. Neal also said that if Chiesa doesn’t accept a fight with him, he is prepared to fight former champion Tyron Woodley.
“Woodley said something that’s he’s looking for a fight,” Neal said. “I’m down. Hopefully he’ll accept that.”
Currently ranked tenth at 170-pounds, Neal concluded by saying he might have to take a fight with an opponent ranked lower than him just to step in the octagon.
“Of course I want to move up in the rankings but it’s getting to that point where I’m just going to take whatever opportunity that’s going to come my way,” Neal said. “I want Chiesa, Ponzinibbio, I wanted ‘Wonderboy’ but I doubt he’ll take that fight; Lawler, Woodley. But it’s getting to that point where I might have to fight backwards.”
