UFC fighter Geoff Neal reportedly arrested on DWI and weapon charges, still scheduled to fight Dec. 11
UFC fighter Geoff Neal was reportedly arrested on Thanksgiving on charges of DWI and unlawfully carrying a weapon, according to ESPN.
Neal was reportedly taken into custody early Nov. 25 in Collin County, Texas. He was released on $2,000 bond later that day.
UFC confirmed it was "aware of a recent situation" involving Neal, and said it was still gathering information. The company confirmed to ESPN that Neal is still expected to fight Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 269 on Dec. 11.
"UFC is aware of the recent situation involving Geoff Neal," the promotion wrote to ESPN in a statement. "The organization has been in communication with him and is in the process of gathering more details. Neal's bout at UFC 269 on December 11th remains as scheduled."
Neal's attorney Brandon Barnett said Neal submitted blood work that will show he was not intoxicated at the time of arrest. Barnett also claimed the weapon officers found was a legally licensed gun, and that Neal received a weapons charge because it is illegal to carry a firearm while committing another crime.
If Neal's bloodwork proves he did not have a blood-alcohol level over 0.08 percent, Barnett believes both charges will be dropped. It could take between six weeks and six months to get the results from Neal's bloodwork, per ESPN.
Geoff Neal to still fight at UFC 269
With Neal's legal situation up in the air, UFC will allow him to fight at UFC 269.
Neal, 31, has a 13-4 record with UFC. He has lost his past two fights, the most recent against Neil Magny in May.
Ponzinibbio, 35, is 29-4 in UFC. He's coming off a win in his last fight, defeating Miguel Baeza in June. It was Ponzinibbio's first win since 2018, when he defeated Magny. Ponzinibbio missed over two years due to injuries following his bout with Magny. He returned in January, but lost his first fight back to Li Jingliang.
