Shavkat Rakhmonov moves to 17-0 in style putting on a tremendous fight against Geoff Neal in a contest that raises each man’s stock at UFC 285.
Round 1
An early head kick thrown by Shavkat Rakhmonov is partially blocked. The kick allows Rakhmonov to control in the clinch but Geoff Neal defends. Neal looks to impose his will and presses forward throwing heavy punches. Neal lands a nice right hand that sends the mouthpiece of Rakhmonov to the ground.
In the pocket, both men are throwing heavy punches landing frequently. Back into space, Shavkat throws a swift kick that catches Neal flush, forcing him to clinch. The ref intervenes to deal with the mouthpiece and the position is lost.
The first ends with Rakhmonov landing well and sending Geoff backwards before Neal fires back.
Round 2
Rakhmonov wastes no time getting to it in the second and puts the pressure immediately on Neal. The clear difference so far is the body strikes from Shavkat landing heavy kicks and knees. Rakhmonov gets a leg and tries to use it for a takedown but Neal does an excellent job defending.
A nice combination from Neal temporarily slows the Shavkat pressure. Geoff finds the most success in the pocket-throwing bombs, but Rakhmonov takes the strikes and smiles. The round ends with both throwing and partially landing.
Round 3
Two back-to-back right head kicks partially land for Shavkat but they still do damage. Neal fires back and rocks Rakhmonov with a heavy punch. The fight is open and both are landing big shots frequently.
Rakhmonov does a good job to avoid danger and recovers quickly. After a clinch, the action returns to the centre of the cage where Shavkat lands a huge right that rocks Neal. Smelling blood Rakhmonov swarms in and fires knees, elbows and punches. Somehow Neal survives.
In a clinch, Shavkat Rakhmonov somehow finds the neck and locks in a modified rear-naked choke then puts on the squeeze. Neal is left with no option but to tap. The official end comes at 4:17 in round 3.
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