On April 2, Josh Neer will make his return to the Octagon after almost two years away from the promotion when he takes on lightweight division veteran Din Thomas at UFC Fight Night 13 in Broomfield, Colo.
The Des Moines-based fighter out of Iowa is eager to get back in the eight-sided cage.
“It feels good to be back in the UFC,” Neer told MMAMania.com. “It’s just a different atmosphere then the other shows.”
“The Dentist” recently inked a three-fight deal with the UFC and looks to take full advantage of his opportunity when he takes on Thomas.
“My goal is to win and see how far I can get,” Neer said. “I think before I went in there thinking ‘if I lose oh well as long as I make it exciting.’ Now I want to be exciting but I also want to win.”
Neer has fought in smaller promotions between his stints in the UFC. His last fight was in October, when he defeated Nick Sorg at a Cage Combat Championship show. He won that fight via arm bar submission in the first round.
Neer also competed once in the IFL, fighting as a replacement on behalf of the Quad Cities Silverbacks. Neer lost to Mark Miller in the first round via knockout. His current MMA record is 23-6-1 (2-3 in the UFC). His last UFC fight was against Nick Diaz at UFC 62 during which he lost via submission in the third round.
Neer makes his return against a tough fighter in Thomas who last fought in September against Kenny Florian at Ultimate Fight Night 11. The American Top Team fighter lost the bout and suffered a knee injury in that fight. With Thomas looking to get back on winning ways, Neer knows this fight will be a challenge.
“I think Din Thomas is a tough opponent,” Neer said. “Anyone who has wins over Clay Guida, Jens Pulver and Matt Serra is certainly no push over.”
Neer has focused on improving his stand-up during his time away from the UFC.
“One thing I’ve been doing differently is moving my head and cutting angles,” Neer said. “I think I got caught up in just straight boxing for awhile. I’m trying to do everything now with the kicks, knees and elbows.”
Neer is not worried about his time away from the UFC. He’s confident that he has fought well enough to not worry about the time away from the Octagon.
“I think I’ve fought pretty well outside of the UFC. Pretty much all the guys I fought were pretty decent,” Neer said. “I beat T.J. Waldburger pretty quick, who turned around and beat Pete Spratt his next fight. I beat a game Paul Rodriguez in the first round. My only set back was against Mark Miller when I got caught with a punch I didn’t see. When I’m motivated I can beat about anyone.”
He sure sounds motivated for his UFC return. And a win over Thomas will certainly make Neer a relevant fighter in the UFC lightweight division.
24 Comments »
I thought Din Thomas was locked-up?
I think he should be barred from the UFC until he finds a less stupid nickname.
I was a fan of Neer’s during his last stint with the UFC…I liked when he beat Stevenson at WW…lots of blood. I still remember those infamous Neer elbows…almost as lethal as KenFlo’s. This should be a really god fight…I hope it sneaks it’s way onto the televised portion in the other fights are quick.
Good fighter but think he will be seriously outmatched. Although only seen one of his fights so who knows. On a side note anyone care that cro cop is fighting that kissing japanese guy.http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/mirko-u-saitami-protiv-japanskog-gayprovokatora/377132.aspx
[quote comment=”348382″]I thought Din Thomas was locked-up?[/quote]
The charges were bogus and eventually dropped.
[quote comment=”348393″]I was a fan of Neer’s during his last stint with the UFC…I liked when he beat Stevenson at WW…lots of blood. I still remember those infamous Neer elbows…almost as lethal as KenFlo’s. This should be a really god fight…I hope it sneaks it’s way onto the televised portion in the other fights are quick.[/quote]
i remember right after the fight josh said in his post fight ivterveiw he would like to have rematch at 155.the 1st fight was a 3rnd war, i think it might have been a split dec.
so a rematch makes sense if he can beat Din.
Finally some good news.
IMO, like I’ve been saying, Neer/Thomas is the best matchup on the undercard of UFN 13, and the fight I am most hoping to make the televised portion of the show.
I don’t watch the IFL very often, but I did happen to catch the episode the Neer got KO’d in. When I saw that Neer was fighting, I was like “Nice, Neer will kick this dude’s ass”. Then to my surprised he gets rocked and beaten. I was shocked that a no namer went through him like he did.
Neer is a solid competitor at 155, but I never see him reaching the top of this stacked division. With that being said, a title, or title shot does not need to be on the line for a UFC fight to be exciting, especially in the LW division.
‘The Dentist’ Is perhaps the scariest nickname in all of UFC. Thats some creepy shit.
It reminds me of the Steve Martin character in “Little SHop of Horrors”.
im glad to see him back and was disappointed when he left.hope his around for awhile.
what was Din suposedly locked up for
should be a pretty good fight no matter who wins.
i will be rooting for the DENTIST though.
they are both outside the top 10 in a stacked div.
1 B J PENN CHAMP.
2 S.Sherk
3 Ken-Flo
4 El Matador Roger Huerta
5 F.Edgar
6 T.Griffin
7 J.Stevenson
8 Nate Diaz TUF winner
9 J.Lauzon
10 K.Pellegrino batman
to many to list for those that are knocking on the door
[quote comment=”348629″]what was Din suposedly locked up for
should be a pretty good fight no matter who wins.
i will be rooting for the DENTIST though.
they are both outside the top 10 in a stacked div.
1 B J PENN CHAMP.
2 S.Sherk
3 Ken-Flo
4 El Matador Roger Huerta
5 F.Edgar
6 T.Griffin
7 J.Stevenson
8 Nate Diaz TUF winner
9 J.Lauzon
10 K.Pellegrino batman
to many to list for those that are knocking on the door[/quote]
“felony prohibited competitions” Basically he got arrested for having fights at his gym. Like every other fighter in the world. The DA is a moron.
That list is just your personal opinion right? I don’t see how someone like Joe Lauzon is higher up than Din. Like Josh says Din has beaten some big names.
[quote comment=”348390″]I think he should be barred from the UFC until he finds a less stupid nickname.[/quote]
Or at least til he stops shaping his eyebrows
I think Neer-Thomas will be a great fight. Neer is happy to get back in the UFC. I’m looking forward to this fight.
I think he his a solid fighter who will provide a challenge for up and comers but i dont see him beating anybody on the top of the division the guy has a huge heart shown in his win over the coke head/thug melvin guillard.
[quote comment=”348555″]It reminds me of the Steve Martin character in “Little SHop of Horrors”.[/quote]
Anyone remember the evil dentist Dr. Isaac Yankem from the WWF before he became Kane?
I love both these guys. Josh Neers submission over Melvin Guillard is one of my all-time favourites!
Both guys are tough as nails, and should make a very exciting fight. I think a healthy Din Thomas takes this one.
I do think Din Thomas is in the top 10 LW in the UFC. Somewhere in the 8th place.
[quote comment=”348629″]what was Din suposedly locked up for
should be a pretty good fight no matter who wins.
i will be rooting for the DENTIST though.
they are both outside the top 10 in a stacked div.
1 B J PENN CHAMP.
2 S.Sherk
3 Ken-Flo
4 El Matador Roger Huerta
5 F.Edgar
6 T.Griffin
7 J.Stevenson
8 Nate Diaz TUF winner
9 J.Lauzon
10 K.Pellegrino batman
to many to list for those that are knocking on the door[/quote]
Not a bad list. I’d put Din Thomas and Clay Guida on that list. I’d take out Lauzon and Diaz. I think Nates awesome, but he still has to do the work.
[quote comment=”348382″]I thought Din Thomas was locked-up?[/quote]
No, they dropped the charges because they were completely wrong in charging him with breaking the law. What he did was legal.
Also, Neer hasn’t really impressed me. I am surprised they brought him back after getting knocked out in the IFL, which I don’t consider to be on the same level as the UFC.
MY TOP 10 LW
1. BJ PENN
2. SEAN SHERK
3. JOE STEVENSON
4. KENNY FLORIAN
5. ROGER HUERTA
6. FRANK EDGAR
7. CLAY GUIDA
8. TYSON GRIFFIN
9. DIN THOMAS
10. KURT PELLEGRINO
ive always like neer, i hope he shows din what the dentist is all about, din is an arrogant piece who never learns to shut his mouth
[quote comment=”349276″]ive always like neer, i hope he shows din what the dentist is all about, din is an arrogant piece who never learns to shut his mouth[/quote]
Arrogant, perhaps. What he said about Floyd Mayweather after that one fight (w/ Clementi?) was frickin’ classic though.
I will never forget Neer vs. Melvin Guuillard, that was a bad ass fight!