Tag: Kennedy Nzechukwu

Kennedy Nzechukwu explains changing weight class, gyms for UFC 308

New weight class. New home gym. New Kennedy Nzechukwu.

ABU DHABI – UFC 308 marked a pair of fresh experiences for [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag].

Nzechukwu (13-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) made his divisional debut Saturday at heavyweight as he defeated Chris Barnett (23-9 MMA, 2-3 UFC) via first-round TKO at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

The fight ended due in part to an injury to Barnett’s leg, but Nzcehukwu was still happy to simply get his feet wet in his new competitive frame.

“It was since my doctors told me that with my frame, my organs were going to hurt me in the long run,” Nzechukwu told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “I was vomiting every time during fight week. Just cutting that last 10 pounds was killing me. I walk around at 245. Just cutting that 40 pounds is too much. I use different nutritionists and it just wasn’t working. The last three days were hell, so we decided to go up in weight. It just felt better here.”

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Nzechukwu, who previously needed to hit 206 pounds on the scale at light heavyweight, weighed in at 241 pounds at Friday’s weigh-ins. Nzechukwu said his focus was on strength training during this camp, which he did mostly with a new coach, Steven Wright, of War Room MMA in Forth Worth, Texas. Nzcheukwu’s longtime coach Sayif Saud, of Fortis MMA, also cornered him for Saturday’s fight.

“I just had to focus on my skill set,” Nzechukwu said. “Athleticism can only take you so far in this sport. So just upgrading. That’s when I moved to War Room. That’s my coach right there, Steven Wright. He’s been helping me. We’ve been making tremendous leaps and bounds. I’m just grateful for God.”

“… I just needed to upgrade. I needed someone who is nerdy about the striking game. Ask coach Steve and he just knows it. He’s been training and trains with a lot of different Dutch fighters, Thai fighters. He just has developed a lot of experience over the years. I just need to absorb all that.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

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UFC 308 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Ilia Topuria’s $42,000 leads card

Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway combined for $74,000 of the Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay for UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 308 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $252,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 308 took place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN+

The full UFC 308 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Shara Magomedov[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Armen Petrosyan[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Ibo Aslan[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Rafael Cerqueira[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Mateusz Rebecki[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Myktybek Orolbai[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Abus Magomedov[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Brunno Ferreira[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Chris Barnett[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Farid Basharat[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Victor Hugo[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Ismail Naurdiev[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Rinat Fakhretdinov[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Carlos Leal[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,896,000
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $29,633,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

UFC 308 video: Kennedy Nzechukwu swarms Chris Barnett for first-round TKO

Kennedy Nzechukwu’s size proved to be too much for Chris Barnett at UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag]’s size proved to be too much for [autotag]Chris Barnett[/autotag] at UFC 308.

In his return to heavyweight, Nzechukwu (13-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) was able to overwhelm Barnett (23-9 MMA, 2-3 UFC) by landing a knee to the body, followed by a right hook that sat “Beast Boy” down at the 4:27 mark of Round 1 Saturday at Etihad Arena. Barnett appeared to have sustained an injury during the fight and was carried out of the octagon.

Check out the replay of Nzechukwu’s finish below (via X):

Nzechukwu was able to snap a two-fight losing skid after back-to-back losses to Dustin Jacoby and Ovince Saint Preux. Barnett has now lost two of his past three.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 308 results include:

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Chris Barnett at UFC 308: Best photos from Abu Dhabi

Check out the best photos from Kennedy Nzechukwu’s first-round TKO win over Chris Barnett at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag]’s first-round TKO win over [autotag]Chris Barnett[/autotag] at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. (Photos by Craig Kidwell, special to MMA Junkie; MMA Junkie; UFC)

Marcos Rogerio says he’s booked Kennedy Nzechukwu for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi

Marcos Rogerio says he has his next fight booked, and that it’s between “two titans.”

[autotag]Marcos Rogerio[/autotag] says he has his next fight booked, and that it’s between “two titans.”

Rogerio (22-9-1 MMA, 11-7 UFC) on Friday posted on Instagram that he’s signed on to fight [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) in a heavyweight bout at UFC 308 (pay-per-view/ESPN/ESPN+), which takes place Oct. 26 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

A person with knowledge of the booking confirmed to MMA Junkie that Nzechukwu, who has been a light heavyweight for all but two bouts in his career, will move up to heavyweight for the fight. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the UFC has not formally announced the matchup.

“Get ready for an epic night at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi! On October 26th, two titans will meet in the Octagon! I’m ready to give my all and bring another victory! ✌🏾👊🏾🦍🇺🇸🇧🇷,” Rogerio posted.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-LB64HAPqz

In February, Rogerio found himself in a unique position. When Justin Tafa had to pull out of their fight midweek, Tafa’s brother Junior stepped up to take the fight on short notice. Rogerio dispatched him with a second-round TKO after a barrage of leg kicks.

That got the Brazilian back on the plus side after a 33-second knockout loss to Derrick Lewis at UFC 291 when Lewis opened with a jumping knee. Still, Rogerio has won five of his past seven bouts.

Nzechukwu will be looking to get back in the win column after back-to-back losses. A year ago, he was knocked out in 82 seconds by Dustin Jacoby and had a three-fight winning streak of finishes snapped. He tried to rebound in March, but dropped a split decision to former interim light heavyweight title challenger Ovince Saint Preux.

With the addition, the UFC 308 lineup now includes:

  • Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
  • Dan Ige vs. Lerone Murphy
  • Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcos Rogerio

UFC Fight Night 239 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Ovince Saint Preux leads with $21,000

UFC Fight Night 239 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 239 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $189,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC Fight Night 239 took place at the UFC Apex. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC Fight Night 239 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Bryan Battle[/autotag]: $4,000
vs. [autotag]Ange Loosa[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Christian Rodriguez[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Isaac Dulgarian[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Macy Chiasson[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Pannie Kianzad[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Bryan Barberena[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Mike Davis[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Natan Levy[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Chelsea Chandler[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Josiane Nunes[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Jafel Filho[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ode Osbourne[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Danny Silva[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Josh Culibao[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Jaqueline Amorim[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Cory McKenna[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Thiago Moises[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Mitch Ramirez[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Chad Anheliger[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Charalampos Grigoriou[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2391 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $1,551,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $24,258,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 239.

Great lengths: The 12 longest reaches in UFC history

Check out the 12 longest reaches in UFC history – with a newcomer set to break the record by 2.5 inches.

As much as skill and technique play into how MMA fights unfold, intangibles can present insurmountable obstacles for even the most well-equipped combatant.

Long reaches, and how a fighter utilizes them, can pose a myriad of problems for opponents when they struggled to get inside. In UFC history, few fighters’ biological builds have surpassed 80 inches – and fewer have creeped toward 90 inches. But it’s happened.

At Saturday’s UFC 299, the all-time record for the longest reach will be broken – by 2.5 inches.

The 12 fighters have a combined professional MMA record of 210-74-2, including a combined UFC record of 85-47.

Check out the dozen fighters listed below who were able to touch up their opponents with punches from a farther distance than any others in history, using data from database Tapology.

Matchup Roundup: New UFC, PFL, Bellator fights announced in the past week (Jan. 15-21)

Check out the UFC, PFL, and Bellator fights that were first reported or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.

MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.

But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.

Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC, PFL, and Bellator.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie or officially announced by the promotions from Jan. 15-21.

UFC on ESPN 50 post-event facts: Cory Sandhagen, Rob Font set dubious record for lack of strikes

Check out all the facts and figures from UFC on ESPN 50, where Cory Sandhagen and Rob Font set a dubious record for strikes landed in a fight.

The UFC made its sixth stop in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday with UFC on ESPN 50, which took place at Bridgestone Arena and saw seven of 12 fights on the card end in a decision.

Among those were the main event, where [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) cruised to a unanimous decision win over [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] (20-7 MMA, 10-6 UFC) in a 140-pound catchweight fight that featured a substantial lack of action.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC on ESPN 50.

UFC on ESPN 50 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Jessica Andrade’s $21,000 tops card

UFC on ESPN 50 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 50 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $170,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 50 took place at Bridgestone Arena. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 50 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Tatiana Suarez[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jessica Andrade[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Dustin Jacoby[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Gavin Tucker[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Tanner Boser[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Aleksa Camur[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Ludovit Klein[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Ignacio Bahamondes[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Raoni Barcelos[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Carlston Harris[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Jeremiah Wells[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Billy Quarantillo[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Cody Durden[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jake Hadley[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Sean Woodson[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Dennis Buzukja[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Asu Almabaev[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ode Osbourne[/autotag]: $6,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $50,000 while title challengers get $50,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-50 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2023 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $5,222,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $19,811,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 50.