In the realm of sports, there are countless tales of athletes who have embarked on unconventional paths before achieving greatness. Many of today’s most revered names emerged from humble beginnings, where they toiled away at odd jobs. However, UFC welterweight Geoff Neal‘s journey follows a distinct trajectory. Known by his formidable moniker ‘Handz of Steel’, Neal currently holds the 8th spot in the UFC rankings. He recently suffered a setback, losing his two-fight winning streak to Shavkat Rakhmonov following a submission loss at UFC 285.

Since his debut in Dana White‘s promotion back in July 2017, Neal has participated in ten fights. Surprisingly, a fan recently spotted the UFC star working at a restaurant, raising eyebrows among fans. Neal’s rationale for taking up such a job elicited divisive opinions, leaving the public in a state of curiosity and intrigue.

Geoff Neal gets the fans talking with his explanation on side job

A fan’s tweet stirred up a buzz when they shared their unexpected encounter with Geoff Neal, who was spotted working as a server at Texas Roadhouse. Simultaneously, this fan questioned the UFC president Dana White about fighters’ pay.

In response, the welterweight stalwart clarified the situation, stating, “Not a pay issue on my side. Just working to stay busy. I tend to do stupid shit when I’m not busy 😅😅😅”. This exchange swiftly made its way across social media platforms, igniting discussions among fans.

Check out how the fans reacted to it:

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• “I know Dana was pointing a gun to his head”
• “Respectfully, seems like a waste of time to be waiting tables. Lots more productive things one could be doing to avoid idle hands.”
• “I honestly respect that a lot, good sh*t Geoff”
• “Good for him, nothing wrong with a side hustle to make a buck”
• “Bro is literally doing side quests”
• “That’s cap 😂 🧢 it’s okay if he needs the extra side cash. Just makes him human like the rest of us.”
• “I wonder if they have jobs for Jon Jones”
• “Just imagine you see Shavkat working at BestBuy or some sh*t 💀😂”
• “After hearing what Pantoja was doing pre title I don’t blame this take. 😅”

Read more: Geoff Neal Responds After UFC Says “Shavkat [Rakhmonov] Gave Us Shades of Jon Jones” at UFC 285

Despite the offbeat revelation, Neal’s professional journey continues unabated. On August 19, 2023, at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, he is set to face the rising Irish prospect, Ian Garry, in a highly anticipated showdown at UFC 292.

Whom are you rooting for in this fight? Let us know in the comments below.

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