

The saying, ‘you are only as good as your last fight’, has always been a saying that’s up for debate. For local mixed martial artist Josh Neal (4-2), he’s more than happy to prove that one fight does not define your career and legacy. “I just didn’t like my last performance overall,” said Neal. “I didn’t expect to get as tired as I did. I’m my own worst critic. I was just critiquing myself and thought I could have done a lot better.”
Neal will have his opportunity for self-redemption on Saturday, March 27th at Caged Aggression XXX “Triple Threat” 3-Night Event as he will face Nelly Thompson-Aniakudo in the co-main event of the evening. And with Thompson-Aniakudo making his debut under the Caged Aggression banner, as a CA fan favorite, Neal is more than ready to give him a proper welcome to the area. “Not a lot of people know about him,” explained Neal. “But if you look him up you can tell he’s very well rounded, good everywhere in the game and comes from a good place.” And Neal is well aware of the target he’s made on his back fighting some of his opponent’s teammates in the past. “I’ve fought some Pura Vida guys before so I always seem to be on their radar,” said Neal. “A couple I’ve got to didn’t seem to go their way so I’m guessing they’re sending in what they think is their big hitter, but we’ll find out.”
Spreading his training out at Summit Training Center, Delf’s Pro Gym and The Shed in Stockton, IA, Neal is taking full advantage of staying as busy as he can as the still on-going COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to everything last year. “I think with March getting cancelled and then us fighting in September and then right away in November, that wasn’t how I wanted to start the year especially with that long layoff,” said Neal. “But, it’s nothing more than me getting right back in there and getting back to it.”
Born in Silvis and raised in the Silvis/East Moline area, Neal attributes his work ethic and grit to his Mexican heritage. His nickname, “El Tigre,” speaks volumes to that. And he is well aware of the people that have paved the way for him and is happy to continue to carry the torch and represent the area well. “Growing up, we had good fighters around here like Gilbert Venegas, he was the man in East Moline,” said Neal. “Having that grit and that fire in you that you are going to go out there no matter what and lay it all out on the line, it’s a big part of me and definitely molds me as a fighter.”
As Neal has been fighting for over a decade now, a shot in the UFC or similar companies are still on his radar but he knows before that, he must have a memorable fight on the 27th. “I wouldn’t be doing this for this long if that wasn’t still a goal of mine,” explained Neal. “I need a finish, there’s no doubt about it. I need a spectacular performance, a finish, a dominant fight, to let them guys know that my time is coming and my time is now.”
And for the rest of the year and beyond, “El Tigre” is pretty clear about what that will look like as well. “I’m going to be a champion at the end of 2021,” said Neal. “And at the beginning of 2022, I believe my shot will come.”
Josh “El Tigre” Neal will be in the co-main event of Caged Aggression XXX Triple Threat on March 27th at the RiverCenter in Davenport and streaming on Pay-Per-View. For more information follow Caged Aggression MMA Facebook page
Photo credit: Say Uncle Photography