Kennedy Nzechukwu

African Savage

USA

Shines in return to heavyweight
Light HeavyweightUFC
October 26, 2024
Nzechukwu defeated Chris Barnett via TKO (strikes) at 4:27 of Round 1 at UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Kennedy was scheduled to face Marcos Rogerio de Lima and Justin Tafa here, only to have both drop out. He finally got in there against Barnett and dominated as the largest favorite on the card at -750. Returning to heavyweight for the first time since 2016, Nzechukwu simply stayed to the outside and used his massive reach edge to pick his opponent apart at distance. The fact Barnett appeared to suffer a knee injury jumping up and down during introductions didn't help matters (in Nzechukwu's favor). Still just 32 years of age, Nzechukwu is young enough to make some waves in a thin heavyweight division, but this result tells us nothing about his future potential in the division. We'll see how he looks his next time out.
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Gets another new opponent
Light HeavyweightUFC
October 12, 2024
Nzechukwu will now fight Chris Barnett at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
With Marcos Rogerio de Lima and Justin Tafa both dropping out of the fight for unknown reasons, Nzechukwu will now take on Barnett, who owns a 2-2 record in the UFC but hasn't fought since September 2022.
Fighting Tafa in October
Light HeavyweightUFC
September 12, 2024
Nzechukwu will take on Justin Tafa at UFC 308 on October 26, with Tafa filling in for Marcos Regilio de Lima, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Nzechukwu was scheduled to face de Lima in October, but with the Brazilian being dropped from the fight for unspecified reasons, Tafa was chosen as a replacement. Nzechukwu will take a considerable size and reach advantage into the bout, though he will be looking to bounce back after consecutive losses to Ovince St. Preux and Dustin Jacoby, respectively. The Nigerian fighter will hope to use his considerable knockout power to take down the younger Tafa, though the Kiwi's 7-1 professional record in KO/TKO finishes means that Nzechukwu will have to remain wary as well.
Next bout scheduled
Light HeavyweightUFC
August 2, 2024
Nzechukwu will take on Marcos Rogerio de Lima in a heavyweight bout at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Nzechukwu has been a streaky fighter thus far in his UFC careeer. He's coming off two straight losses, most recently at the hands of Ovince Saint Preux via split decision. Prior to that, however, he had ripped off three straight wins. The heavyweight will look to snap his losing streak against an older opponent, on whom he has both height and wingspan advantages.
Falls as biggest favorite on card
Light HeavyweightUFC
March 16, 2024
Nzechukwu lost to Ovince Saint Preux via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
That will do it for Nzechukwu as any sort of potential future title contender at 205 pounds. There's no coming back from dropping a well-deserved decision to the 40-year-old Saint Preux as a -700 favorite, by far the largest on the entire card. Kennedy stood around and did nothing for 10 minutes, only finally making some headway in Round 3 because OSP was dead tired. Even in the final frame, it was Saint Preux who landed the bigger shots, including a knockdown. Nzechukwu simply doesn't possess the aggressiveness or the volume on the feet to consistently threaten fellow light heavyweights.
Fighting St. Preux in March
Light HeavyweightUFC
January 16, 2024
Nzechukwu will fight Ovince Saint Preux at UFC Vegas 88 on March 16, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Nzechukwu's loss to Dustin Jacoby in August snapped what had been a three-fight win streak, but he'll have an opportunity to get back on track versus Saint Preux, who hasn't won a fight since May 2022. Nzechukwu will have a two-inch height and three-inch reach advantage over his opponent.