Overview

• The Neal–Prates welterweight bout is set for August 16 at the United Center in Chicago on the UFC 319 pay-per-view card.
• Most sportsbooks list Prates as a –250 to –270 favorite, leaving Neal as roughly a +200 underdog.
• Neal says he is training specifically for a first-round knockout and expects to end the fight in the opening frame.
• Prates admits to smoking about eight cigarettes a day to help manage his weight cut; Neal continues part-time waiter work during fight week to burn calories and stay focused.
• Prates is chasing a climb toward title contention after an April loss; Neal aims to defend or reclaim his place in the division’s top 10.