Kennedy Nzechukwu
African Savage
USA
Suffers first heavyweight defeat
Nzechukwu lost to Valter Walker via submission (heel hook) at 0:54 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Nashville.
ANALYSIS
Nzechukwu is in no position to be putting forth performances such as this one as a -250 favorite. He simply wasn't ready to fight when the opening bell rang, and Walker took advantage. Kennedy actually caught a huge break when his opponent appeared to slip off him, but Walker used the space to clamp on a heel hook and earn the submission. This setback comes on the heels of back-to-back first-round knockout victories for Nzechukwu in the span of just six weeks in late-2024.
Nzechukwu is in no position to be putting forth performances such as this one as a -250 favorite. He simply wasn't ready to fight when the opening bell rang, and Walker took advantage. Kennedy actually caught a huge break when his opponent appeared to slip off him, but Walker used the space to clamp on a heel hook and earn the submission. This setback comes on the heels of back-to-back first-round knockout victories for Nzechukwu in the span of just six weeks in late-2024.
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Books next bout
Nzechukwu will take on Valter Walker in a heavyweight bout at UFC Nashville on July 12, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Nzechukwu has won two straight fights to push his UFC record to 8-5. He's coming off a cancellation, however, as he was slated to face Martin Buday at UFC Vegas 105 but pulled out for undisclosed reasons. Now, he'll get his chance to step back into the ring against an opponent in Walker who has also won two straight bouts.
Nzechukwu has won two straight fights to push his UFC record to 8-5. He's coming off a cancellation, however, as he was slated to face Martin Buday at UFC Vegas 105 but pulled out for undisclosed reasons. Now, he'll get his chance to step back into the ring against an opponent in Walker who has also won two straight bouts.
Out for UFC Vegas 105
Nzechukwu (undisclosed) will no longer fight Saturday at UFC Vegas 105, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Nzechukwu has been pulled from Saturday's fight at the last minute, and the reason is currently unknown. He was scheduled to fight Martin Buday, who will now fight Uran Satybaldiev on very short notice.
Nzechukwu has been pulled from Saturday's fight at the last minute, and the reason is currently unknown. He was scheduled to fight Martin Buday, who will now fight Uran Satybaldiev on very short notice.
Third heavyweight bout schedueld
Nzechukwu will take on Martin Buday in a heavyweight bout at UFC Vegas 105 on April 5, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Nzechukwu has won two straight bouts, most recently taking care of Lukasz Brzeski back in December. That pushed his UFC record to 8-5, and he'll look to make it three straight wins against an opponent in Buday who is also coming off a win. Nzechukwu has an inch of height on Buday, as well as six inches of wingspan on him.
Nzechukwu has won two straight bouts, most recently taking care of Lukasz Brzeski back in December. That pushed his UFC record to 8-5, and he'll look to make it three straight wins against an opponent in Buday who is also coming off a win. Nzechukwu has an inch of height on Buday, as well as six inches of wingspan on him.
Second victory in span of six weeks
Nzechukwu defeated Lukas Brzeski via TKO (punches) at 4:51 of Round 1 at UFC 310 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Stepping in for Tallison Teixeira (undisclosed) on short notice, Nzechukwu has his second victory in a span of six weeks. He absorbed zero damage in his first-round knockout win over Chris Barnett in late-October, so it was smart to get right back to work. It was similar outcome this time around. Kennedy stayed to the outside before popping Brzeski with a two-piece combination that closed the show and went on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. We'll have to see how Nzechukwu fares at heavyweight when the competition level increases, but he certainly looks much more comfortable not having to cut down to the 206-pound light heavyweight limit.
Stepping in for Tallison Teixeira (undisclosed) on short notice, Nzechukwu has his second victory in a span of six weeks. He absorbed zero damage in his first-round knockout win over Chris Barnett in late-October, so it was smart to get right back to work. It was similar outcome this time around. Kennedy stayed to the outside before popping Brzeski with a two-piece combination that closed the show and went on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. We'll have to see how Nzechukwu fares at heavyweight when the competition level increases, but he certainly looks much more comfortable not having to cut down to the 206-pound light heavyweight limit.
Filling in for Teixeira
Nzechukwu will fight Lukasz Brzeski at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Just under a month removed from his bounce-back win over Chris Barnett, Nzechukwu will now step in to fight Brzeski, taking the place of Tallison Teixeira (undisclosed). Nzechukwu had lost his previous two fights prior to his win in October, but Brzeski has dealt with his own struggles, losing four of his first five UFC bouts.
Just under a month removed from his bounce-back win over Chris Barnett, Nzechukwu will now step in to fight Brzeski, taking the place of Tallison Teixeira (undisclosed). Nzechukwu had lost his previous two fights prior to his win in October, but Brzeski has dealt with his own struggles, losing four of his first five UFC bouts.