Chidi Njokuani

Chidi Bang Bang

USA

Finds stoppage after weight miss
MiddleweightUFC
March 15, 2025
Njokuani defeated Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via TKO (strikes) at 2:19 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
This was an excellent effort from Njokuani and one that would have meant that much more had he not missed weight by more than a pound Friday morning. Known as a massive power puncher despite the fact he turned 36 years old on New Year's Eve, Njokuani destroyed Zaleski dos Santos with a knee up the middle early in Round 2. Chidi sensed the finish and unloaded with elbows until referee Mark Smith pulled the plug. The UFC awarded Njokuani with another chance following a three-fight losing streak from September 2022 to August 2023, and he has since responded with three straight wins of his own.
Read More News
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Misses wight Friday
MiddleweightUFC
March 14, 2025
Njokuani came in 1.25 pounds overweight ahead of Saturday's bout against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC Vegas 104, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Njokuani will likely forfeit some of his fight purse if the bout against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos proceeds as scheduled. The 36-year-old American fighter is riding a two-fight winning streak heading into Saturday's fight.
Slated for UFC Vegas
MiddleweightUFC
February 5, 2025
Njokuani will take on Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in a welterweight bout at UFC Vegas 105 on March. 15, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Njokuani has been streaky as of late. He's coming off two straight wins to push his record to 4-3 in the UFC, but that came on the heels of three straight losses. His opponent is much more experienced in the promotion with a record of 11-4-1, but Njokuani should have some advantages, namely four inches of height and seven inches of reach.
Takes decision from heavy opponent
MiddleweightUFC
October 12, 2024
Njokuani defeated Jared Gooden via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's going to go into the books as one of the most lucrative evenings of Njokuani's career. Not only will he pick up his show and win bonuses, but he'll also walk away with 20 percent of Gooden's purse after the latter missed weight Friday morning. Njokuani did an exceptional job of limiting Gooden's ability to throw power shots, closing with a ridiculous 105-20 edge in terms of significant strikes landed. The UFC granted Njokuani another chance after suffering three straight defeats from September 2022 to August 2023, and he has since responded with back-to-back victories.
Facing heavy opponent
MiddleweightUFC
October 11, 2024
Njokuani's opponent, Jared Gooden, weighed in at 171 pounds ahead of their welterweight clash at UFC Fight Night on Oct. 12, per Jed I. Goodman.
ANALYSIS
Gooden will forfeit 20 percent of his purse, but the fight will continue as planned. Njokuani will be looking for his second straight win after taking down Rhys McKee in March.
Fighting Gooden in October
MiddleweightUFC
July 18, 2024
Njokuani will fight Jared Gooden at a UFC Fight Night event on Oct. 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
After snapping a three-fight losing streak in March versus Rhys McKee, Njokuani is set to fight Jared Gooden (19-9-0) in October. Gooden has yet to fight this calendar year after withdrawing from his fight versus Kevin Jousset in May due to an undisclosed injury. Njokuani heads into the fight with a 23-10 record but has just one victory in the past two years.