Joshua Martin Neer (born March 24, 1983) is an American bare-knuckle boxer and former mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2003, he has competed for the UFC, Bellator, the Quad Cities Silverbacks of the IFL, and Shark Fights. Neer is the former Shark Fights Interim Welterweight Champion.

Background

Neer is from Des Moines, Iowa, and began wrestling when he was six years old. In high school, he played football, was an All-Conference baseball player, and in wrestling, he finished fourth in the state for his senior season. Neer continued wrestling at Waldorf College, but got injured and dropped out after only a year. Neer began boxing when he was 18 years old.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Neer went 89–1 as an amateur, sometimes fighting two to three times in one night. He received his nickname "The Dentist", by knocking the teeth out of two consecutive opponents during his amateur career. Neer began his professional career on March 15, 2003, by knocking out Josh Kennedy. He proceeded to win twice, and draw once, before losing to Spencer "The King" Fisher by split decision. After losing to Fisher, Neer won each of his next ten fights.

UFC

Neer signed with the UFC and lost his first fight to Drew Fickett by submission at the inaugural UFC Ultimate Fight Night. Neer fought his next three fights outside the UFC and went 2–1 before going back to the UFC. He submitted Melvin Guillard at Ultimate Fight Night 2 and beat Joe Stevenson, who won the Welterweight division of The Ultimate Fighter 2, at Ultimate Fight Night 3. Neer then lost his next two fights, to Josh Burkman at UFC 61 and by submission to Nick Diaz at UFC 62. Again out of the UFC, Neer went 6–1 in his next seven fights before returning to defeat Din Thomas at UFC Fight Night: Florian vs Lauzon. He lost to Nate Diaz in the main event at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs Neer, but followed that defeat with a win at UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs Stephens over The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs Team Serra winner, Mac Danzig, by triangle choke in the second round. Neer lost a unanimous decision over Kurt Pellegrino. Throughout the fight Neer made signals that Pellegrino was not doing anything, and was visibly upset at the end of the third round. Neer fought Gleison Tibau as a late replacement for injured Sean Sherk at UFC 104 on October 24, 2009, and lost the fight due to a unanimous decision. Neer was subsequently released from the UFC with a record of 2–3 since his return to the organization.

Post-UFC

In his first fight following his latest UFC release, Neer defeated Matt Delanoit by TKO at MAX Fights DM Ballroom Brawl IV in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 8. He followed up with another win at Shark Fights 8, winning the Interim Welterweight Championship, which he also successfully defended once.

UFC return

Neer returned to the UFC to defeat Keith Wisniewski by TKO (cut) at the end of the second round on October 1, 2011, at UFC on Versus 6. Neer next faced Duane Ludwig on January 20, 2012, at UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller. Despite being hurt on several occasions via Ludwig's punches, Neer persevered and won the fight via technical submission in the first round. Neer faced Mike Pyle on June 8, 2012, at UFC on FX 3. Pyle defeated Neer via first-round knockout. Neer fought Justin Edwards on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5. He lost the fight via guillotine choke 45 seconds into the first round. Neer faced Ultimate Fighter Season 11 winner Court McGee on February 23, 2013, at UFC 157. Neer lost the bout via unanimous decision. He was subsequently released from the UFC again after his loss to McGee.

Independent circuit

On December 14, 2013, Neer faced former UFC veteran Anthony Smith at VFC 41. Neer won via submission (rear-naked choke). Neer then faced Ron Jackson at MCC 54: Grigsby vs. Morrow on June 27, 2014. He won the fight via first round TKO.

Bellator

At Bellator 17, Neer was defeated by Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez via rear-naked choke at 2:08 in the second round. Alvarez gained control of Neer's back in the standing position. Neer refused to tap, and was rendered unconscious as a result. Neer returned to the promotion to face Paul Bradley on October 17, 2014, at Bellator 129. He lost the fight by unanimous decision and left frustrated by the repeated ground attack by Bradley. Neer was scheduled to face Matt Secor at Bellator 140 on July 17, 2015. However, this fight did not happen. Neer eventually made his return against André Santos at Bellator 146 on November 20, 2015. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Post-Bellator

After the second, two-fight stint in Bellator, Neer faced Anthony Smith in a rematch at VFC 47 on January 14, 2016. He lost the fight via first-round knockout.

Personal life

Neer has a daughter. Before he was fighting professionally, Neer worked in construction. On New Year's Eve 2008 Neer was involved in a high-speed chase with law enforcement in Des Moines, Iowa, after reportedly hitting a squad car before fleeing the scene. He faced charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, eluding police, hit-and-run, and various other traffic violations. He pleaded guilty to two charges and did not receive jail time but instead received a suspended sentence.

Bare-knuckle boxing

Neer competed in a bare-knuckle boxing match at 200 lbs. for the World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation on November 9, 2018. He won after his opponent retired two minutes into the third round.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional boxing record

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%" !No. !Result !Record !Opponent !Method !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes

Bare knuckle record