Early career Neal made his amateur debut in 2010, a second-round win by
knockout against Bobby Hernandez. He competed in a total of seven amateur matches, ending with a 6–1 amateur record. Before being signed by the UFC, Neal competed in a total of ten mixed martial arts matches, winning eight and losing two of them.
Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series Neal appeared on
Dana White's Contender Series 3 and faced Chase Waldon. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round and was signed by the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Neal made his promotional debut on February 18, 2018, against
Brian Camozzi at
UFC Fight Night 126. He won the bout via submission in the first round. Neal next faced
Frank Camacho on September 8, 2018, at
UFC 228. He won the fight via knockout in the second round. Neal faced
Belal Muhammad on January 19, 2019, at
UFC Fight Night 143. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Neal faced
Niko Price on July 27, 2019, at
UFC 240. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two. This fight earned him the
Performance of the Night award. Neal faced
Mike Perry on December 14, 2019, at
UFC 245. He won the fight via first-round technical knockout. Neal was expected to face
Neil Magny on August 29, 2020, at
UFC Fight Night 175. However, Neal withdrew from the event due to health issues and he was replaced by
Robbie Lawler. Neal faced
Stephen Thompson on December 19, 2020, in the headliner of
UFC Fight Night 183. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Neal faced
Neil Magny at
UFC on ESPN 24 on May 8, 2021. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Neal faced
Santiago Ponzinibbio on December 11, 2021, at
UFC 269. He won the back-and-forth bout via split decision. 10 out of 14 media scores gave it to Neal. Neal faced
Vicente Luque on August 6, 2022, at
UFC on ESPN 40. He won the fight via knockout in round three. This win earned him the
Performance of the Night award. Neal was scheduled to face
Shavkat Rakhmonov on January 14, 2023, at
UFC Fight Night 217. However, on December 29, Neal pulled out due to undisclosed injury. The pair was rescheduled for
UFC 285 on March 4, 2023. At the weigh-ins on March 3, Neal weighed in at 175 pounds, 4 pounds over the non-title welterweight limit. As a result, the bout proceeded as a
catchweight and Neal was fined 30% of his fight purse, which went to Rakhmonov. He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round. Despite his failure to make weight, UFC president
Dana White was so pleased with the fight and impressed with Neal's outing that Neal still received his share of the
Fight of the Night award. Neal was scheduled to face
Ian Machado Garry at
UFC 292 on August 19, 2023. However, Neal withdrew due to undisclosed health reasons, and was replaced by
Neil Magny. A bout with Garry was rescheduled and took place on February 17, 2024, at
UFC 298. Neal lost in a competitive bout by split decision. Neal faced
Rafael dos Anjos on October 26, 2024, at
UFC 308. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one after dos Anjos suffered a knee injury. Neal was scheduled to face
Carlos Prates on April 12, 2025 at
UFC 314. However, Neal withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and the bout was subsequently cancelled. The bout has since been re-scheduled and took place on August 16, 2025 at
UFC 319. He lost the fight via knockout in round one. Neal was scheduled to face
Kevin Holland in a rematch on February 21, 2026 at
UFC Fight Night 267, after their first meeting in January 2017. However, for undisclosed reasons, Holland was replaced by
Uroš Medić. Neal lost the fight by knockout in the first round. ==Championships and accomplishments==