The Ultimate Fighting Championship is reportedly attempting once again to schedule a bout between Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates. The welterweight clash is now being targeted for the upcoming UFC 319 pay-per-view event, set to take place on August 16th in Chicago.
According to individuals with knowledge of the situation, both fighters have verbally agreed to the proposed rebooking for UFC 319.
UFC 319 is scheduled to be held at the United Center in Chicago. The event is expected to be headlined by the middleweight championship defense between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
Neal (16-6) and Prates (21-7) were originally slated to fight in April, but “Handz of Steel” Neal was forced to withdraw from the UFC 314 lineup. Subsequently, Prates was rescheduled to headline a UFC Fight Night event in Kansas City just two weeks later, where he lost a decision to Ian Machado Garry.
That defeat marked the end of Prates` impressive six-year unbeaten streak. Prior to the loss, he had secured four consecutive knockout victories, including wins over Jingliang Li and Neil Magny since joining the UFC approximately a year ago.
Geoff Neal has not stepped into the octagon since October 2023, when he defeated former champion Rafael dos Anjos. That victory helped Neal get back on track following previous defeats to Ian Machado Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov.
