On the UFC 269 PPV main card, the promotion’s #12 ranked welterweight, Geoff Neal, edged out the #14 ranked, Santiago Ponzinibbio, with a split decision. The fight was highly competitive, with both men landing quality punches and drawing blood from the other, but it was Neal who did more down the stretch to get the nod. This victory breaks up a two-fight losing skid for Neal.
The fight started out rather sticky, with both men struggling to find a groove. Ponzinibbio was warned several times in the opening round about his fingers being extended. Neal was landing the better strikes as the opening round grew on, and a little cut formed around the right eye of Ponzinibbio.