VTwo of the best welterweights in the UFC collide in a thrilling three-round encounter. The fight is part of the UFC on ESPN 40 card on August 6 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Geoff Neal aims to silence Vicente Luque’s guns in a three-round bout that will happen before the main event between Thiago Santos and Jamahal Hill. Luque looks to return to the winning column after succumbing to Belal Muhammad in a five-round clash in April this year. On the other hand, Neal wants to extend his winning streak to two and prove that his split decision win against Santiago Ponzinibbio in December last year was no fluke. MMA betting lines suggest a slam-bang affair, but Luque is slightly favored to win the match over Neal.
UFC on ESPN 40: Vicente Luque vs. Geoff Neal Betting Information
| Date: |
Saturday, August 6, 2022 |
| Time: |
10:00 PM ET |
| Location: |
UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| TV Coverage: |
Pay Per View |
UFC on ESPN 40: Vicente Luque vs. Geoff Neal Odds
| Fighter |
ML |
|
| Vicente Luque |
-175 |
Place Bets |
| Geoff Neal |
+150 |
| Place Bets |
Vicente Luque
Vicente Luque (21-8-1 win-loss-draw) is an all-around MMA menace who knows how to knock out his opponents and force submissions if he wants to. Nineteen of his 21 wins ended up in either knockout or submission. A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Luque will likely keep his attack on the ground and look for a possible submission attempt. Since he entered the octagon in July 2015, the 30-year-old, New Jersey-based fighter has won 14 of 18 fights, including victories against Michael Chiesa and former UFC champion Tyron Woodley. Luque was on his way to winning five straight matches until Muhammad halted the streak with a unanimous decision verdict in five rounds. The Silent Assassin will seek a convincing win against Neal to move up to the 170-pound list as he currently stands at number six.
Geoff Neal
Currently number 13 in the welterweight rankings, Geoff Neal (14-4) wants to prove that his split decision win over Santiago Ponzinibbio was not just pure luck. Neal is determined to silence his critics as he steps up the ring to fight his fellow contender Luque. A victory over the Brazilian will cement his status as one of the top contenders in the division. However, a loss would put him out of the rankings. Neal has a win over Luque’s conqueror Belal Muhammad and had quality fights against Stephen Thompson and Niko Price. The Dallas native needs to slug it out with his Brazilian foe to stand a chance because Luque’s ground game is superior.
Luque vs. Neal Betting Numbers
|
Luque |
Neal |
| Record |
21-8-1 |
14-4-0 |
| Last Fight |
Loss |
Win |
| Country |
Brazil |
USA |
| Height |
5’11” |
5’11” |
| Weight |
170 lbs |
170 lbs |
| Reach |
76″ |
75″ |
| Win by KO/TKO |
52% |
57% |
| Submissions |
38% |
14% |
| Decisions |
10% |
29% |
| Strikes Landed Per Minute |
5.30 |
4.63 |
| Striking Accuracy |
53% |
49% |
| Striking Absorbed Per Minute |
5.18 |
4.91 |
| Striking Defense |
53% |
62% |
| Takedown Average |
0.54 |
0.50 |
| Takedown Accuracy |
50% |
50% |
| Takedown Defense |
61% |
85% |
| Submission Average |
0.8 |
0.2 |
Vicente Luque vs. Geoff Neal Summary
Both fighters need this win to improve their status in the welterweight division. Neal has to win over Luque to put him into the title picture in the deep 170-pound ranks. The Brazilian-American Luque, meanwhile, must use his all-around game to out steady Neal and place his foe into a submission maneuver in the latter rounds. UFC betting picks suggest a Luque victory deep into the fight. Neal, however, can stun Luque if he uses his striking power wisely and avoids the trap that his foe will likely put up on the ground.
