Geoff Neal out of matchup against Shavkat Rakhmonov – fan favorite volunteers to step in

Top ranked welterweight Geoff Neal is out of his fight on January 14. Photo: Sergei Belski – USA TODAY Sports

Due to an undisclosed injury, No. 7 ranked welterweight Geoff Neal has been forced to pull out of his fight against No. 10 ranked Shavkat Rakhmonov.

The welterweights were scheduled to clash in the co-main event at UFC Vegas 67 on January 14. Igor Lazorin was first to report the news.

The promotion is currently searching for a replacement for the undefeated Rakhmonov, who rides a sixteen-fight winning streak, including four straight finishes in the UFC.

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Bryan Barberena wants to replace Geoff Neal

Fan favorite Bryan Barbarena was quick to volunteer to step in as a short notice replacement for the co-main event on January 14, and Rakhmonov seemed to think it was a good idea as well.

”Neal out. We were supposed to fight before on short notice. No one wants to fight you. Fuck it make it at 180 and I’ll see you there,” Barberena wrote on Twitter.

Neal out. We were supposed to fight before on short notice. No one wants to fight you. Fuck it make it at 180 and I’ll see you there! 👊🏽💥 https://t.co/sOLhj5Iitg

— BRYAN BARBERENA (@bryan_barberena) December 29, 2022

”Why not, let’s do it for the fans,” Rakmonov replied.

Why not, let’s do it for the fans 👊🏼 https://t.co/3V58wJfR7C

— Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) December 30, 2022

”Mad respect let’s Fucken go! let’s make this official send the contract and let’s get it done,” Barberena wrote.

Mad respect ✊🏽 let’s Fucken go! @ufc @seanshelby @danawhite let’s make this official send the contract and let’s get it done. https://t.co/Tau5HfOmN7

— BRYAN BARBERENA (@bryan_barberena) December 30, 2022

However, at the moment, it’s unclear if the promotion decides to go with Barberena as the replacement fighter for Geoff Neal.

UFC Vegas 67 is headlined by a middleweight bout between veteran Kelvin Gastelum and rising star Nassourdine Imavov.

The event also features a women’s bantamweight bout between top ranked Raquel Pennington and Ketlen Vieira.

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