Neal arrested on DWI, weapons charges 16 days before UFC 269

Geoff Neal was arrested in Texas on misdemeanor charges of driving while intoxicated and unlawful carrying a weapon on Thanksgiving, 16 days before his fight at UFC 269, according to a police document obtained by MMA Junkie's Simon Samano.

The arrest occurred in the early hours of Nov. 25, according to a record from the Collin County Sheriff's Office. He was booked into the Collin County Jail and eventually released on bond.

Neal, the 12th-ranked contender in the welterweight division, is scheduled to face Santiago Ponzinibbio on the main card of UFC 269 on Dec. 11.

"UFC is aware of the recent situation involving Geoff Neal," the promotion wrote in a statement to ESPN's Marc Raimondi. "The organization has been in communication with him and is in the process of gathering more details. Neal's bout at UFC 269 on Dec. 11 remains as scheduled."

Neal's attorney, Brandon Barnett, said the fighter had a license for the gun and volunteered a blood test at the time of his arrest to show he was within the legal blood-alcohol limit. Texas law only prohibits the possession of a licensed firearm during the commission of a crime.

"If it turns out he was not legally intoxicated - which we expect the blood test will show - there won't be a gun charge, either," Barnett said.

The blood test could take up to six months to come back, Barnett added.

Neal is looking to stop a two-fight losing streak after suffering defeats against Stephen Thompson in 2020 and Neil Magny earlier in 2021. The 31-year-old won seven straight bouts from 2017-19, including six victories under the UFC banner.