The UFC welterweight division is about to deliver a February banger, as Geoff Neal squares off against rising knockout artist Uros Medic on February 21 at UFC Houston’s Toyota Center. However the path to this explosive matchup took an unexpected detour that left one veteran fighter fuming.
Banger alert. Geoff Neal vs. Uros Medic is booked for Feb. 21 at #UFCHouston, multiple sources say. Story headed to @MMAJunkie pic.twitter.com/G9JtW7cTcU
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) January 24, 2026
Initially, the promotion had plans to run back a regional rivalry nearly a decade within the making. Neal was slated to rematch Kevin Holland at UFC Houston, a bout that might have revisited their January 2017 encounter when each fighters were climbing the ranks in Texas. Holland publicly agreed to the bout and even announced the fight on social media. Nevertheless, Neal officially declined the matchup in early January, leaving Holland without an opponent and visibly frustrated.
When news broke that the UFC had pivoted to book Neal against Medic as a substitute, Holland didn’t hold back his disappointment. Taking to social media, the always-vocal welterweight posted his response with a pointed jab: “How they reward the bum”. The comment reflects Holland’s frustration with being omitted while Neal secured a spot on the Houston card against a distinct opponent.
Undecided. But he is not comfortable pic.twitter.com/SER2iVNTwz
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) January 24, 2026
For Neal (16-7), the Medic fight represents a possibility to construct momentum after a difficult stretch. The 35-year-old Texan has won only once in his last 4 outings, with that lone victory coming against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 308 in October 2024. Coming off a brutal knockout loss to rising star Carlos Prates at UFC 319, “Handz of Steel” needs an announcement performance on home soil.
Medic (12-3) enters as one in every of the division’s most dangerous finishers. The Serbian striker has delivered back-to-back first-round knockouts, most recently flattening veteran Muslim Salikhov in only 63 seconds at UFC Vegas 111 in November. With eight profession knockout victories and 7 first-round finishes to his name, “The Doctor” embodies the kill-or-be-killed mentality. Each one in every of his UFC fights has resulted in a stoppage.
UROS MEDIC KOS MUSLIM SALIKHOV EARLY IN RD 1!😮💨 pic.twitter.com/lasmSCFAKR
— The MMA Archives (@Themmaarchives) November 9, 2025
This stylistic clash guarantees fireworks. Each men possess legitimate one-punch power, and neither is understood for taking part in it secure. For Houston fans, this matchup delivers exactly what the welterweight division is all about—two heavy-handed strikers willing to trade leather until someone hits the canvas.