Tag: Kennedy Nzechukwu

UFC Fight Night 215 predictions: Derrick Lewis or Serghei Spivac in heavyweight clash?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC Fight Night 215 main card in Las Vegas.

Lewis
vs.
Spivac		 Cutelaba
vs.
Nzechukwu		 Cortes-Acosta
vs.
Sherman		 Fialho
vs.
Salikhov		 Maddalena
vs.
Roberts
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
180-106		 lewis2022
Lewis
(54%)		 nzechukwu2022
Nzechukwu
(59%)		 cortes-acosta2022
Cortes-Acosta
(78%)		 salikhov2022
Salikhov
(55%)		 maddalena2022
Maddalena
(87%)
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
190-101
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 lewis2022
Lewis		 nzechukwu2022
Nzechukwu		 cortes-acosta2022
Cortes-Acosta		 salikhov2022
Salikhov		 maddalena2022
Maddalena
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
182-109		 spivac2022
Spivac		 cutelaba2022
Cutelaba		 cortes-acosta2022
Cortes-Acosta		 salikhov2022
Salikhov		 maddalena2022
Maddalena
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
182-109		 spivac2022
Spivac		 cutelaba2022
Cutelaba		 cortes-acosta2022
Cortes-Acosta		 salikhov2022
Salikhov		 maddalena2022
Maddalena
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
179-112		 lewis2022
Lewis		 cutelaba2022
Cutelaba		 cortes-acosta2022
Cortes-Acosta		 salikhov2022
Salikhov		 maddalena2022
Maddalena
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohn
178-113
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 spivac2022
Spivac		 nzechukwu2022
Nzechukwu		 cortes-acosta2022
Cortes-Acosta		 fialho2022
Filaho		 maddalena2022
Maddalena
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
176-115		 lewis2022
Lewis		 nzechukwu2022
Nzechukwu		 cortes-acosta2022
Cortes-Acosta		 salikhov2022
Salikhov		 maddalena2022
Maddalena
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
175-116		 lewis2022
Lewis		 cutelaba2022
Cutelaba		 cortes-acosta2022
Cortes-Acosta		 fialho2022
Filaho		 maddalena2022
Maddalena
Nolan King
@mma_kings
170-121		 lewis2022
Lewis		 cutelaba2022
Cutelaba		 cortes-acosta2022
Cortes-Acosta		 fialho2022
Filaho		 maddalena2022
Maddalena
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
169-122
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 lewis2022
Lewis		 cutelaba2022
Cutelaba		 cortes-acosta2022
Cortes-Acosta		 salikhov2022
Salikhov		 maddalena2022
Maddalena
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
157-134		 lewis2022
Lewis		 nzechukwu2022
Nzechukwu		 cortes-acosta2022
Cortes-Acosta		 salikhov2022
Salikhov		 maddalena2022
Maddalena
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
142-149		 lewis2022
Lewis		 cutelaba2022
Cutelaba		 cortes-acosta2022
Cortes-Acosta		 fialho2022
Filaho		 maddalena2022
Maddalena

The UFC is back home in Las Vegas this week, and three sets of heavy hitters are atop the card.

UFC Fight Night 215 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, former heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] (26-10 MMA, 17-8 UFC) takes on [autotag]Serghei Spivac[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC). Spivac is a 2-1 favorite at Tipico Sportsbook; the comeback on Lewis is +165. But our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers are bucking the betting odds and have Lewis with a big 8-3 lead.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag] (16-8-1 MMA, 5-7-1 UFC) meets [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) at light heavyweight. Nzechukwu is the favorite at the betting window at -170, but like in the main event, our pickers have underdog Cutelaba with the lead at 7-4.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Waldo Cortes-Acosta[/autotag] (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is back for a quick turnaround at heavyweight against [autotag]Chase Sherman[/autotag] (16-10 MMA, 4-9 UFC). Cortes-Acosta is more than a 2-1 favorite and is one of two unanimous picks on the main card at 11-0.

[autotag]Andre Fialho[/autotag] (16-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) takes on [autotag]Muslim Salikhov[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in a welterweight fight that nearly is a pick’em at the sportsbook. Salikhov is just a -115 favorite, but he’s up 7-4 in the picks.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Jack Della Maddalena[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is our second unanimous pick at 11-0 in his welterweight fight against [autotag]Danny Roberts[/autotag] (18-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC). Maddalena is by far the biggest favorite on the card at -600.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Lewis (54 percent), Nzechukwu (59 percent), Cortes-Acosta (78 percent), Salikhov (55 percent) and Maddalena (87 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 215.

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Kennedy Nzechukwu not afraid by potential antics from Ion Cutelaba: ‘I’m Nigerian’

Kennedy Nzechukwu has seen it all.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag] is unfazed by what may come in the lead up to fight his fight against Ion Cutelaba.

The UFC light heavyweight says he’s not worried about Cutelaba’s customary pre-fight antics ahead of their clash in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 215. Cutelaba (16-8-1 MMA, 5-7-1 UFC) is known for trying to agitate his opponents in the build up to a fight, as he’s shoved and yelled at opponents, among other things during pre-fight faceoffs.

Nzechukwu (10-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) isn’t worried about what Cutelaba may or may not do before they step into the octagon.

“No, not really, I’m Nigerian,” Nzechukwu said at the UFC Fight Night 215 media day on Wednesday when asked about any potential concerns with Cutelaba’s antics. “I’ve been scared since I was a toddler, so nothing can really scare me or spook me.

“Regardless of what happens, there’s no ill will towards him. He’s just doing him. He’s just being himself. The main thing is about fight night on Saturday. Both of us are going to be locked in that cage, and we’re going to have to fight. I’m ready.”

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Cutelaba has had a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to his results in the UFC. “The Hulk” has won in quick finishes, gone to the distance, been submitted, drawn, you name it.

Nzechukwu will be fighting for the third time in 2022. He started his year off with a split decision loss to Nicolae Negumereanu in March, but rebounded very nicely with a third-round TKO finish of Karl Roberson in July.

Whatever may come on Saturday, Nzechukwu is ready.

“Whether it’s tough or easy, I’m ready to fight,” Nzechukwu said. “I’m prepared mentally, physically, and I just want to show my skill set, display what I’m made of. I know Ion Cutelaba is a tough fight, so I’m expecting the toughest version of him to show up. I’m ready, I’m prepared.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 215.

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UFC Fight Night 215 pre-event facts: Andre Fialho first to five UFC fights in 2022

Check out the numbers behind UFC Fight Night 215, where Derrick Lewis can add to his knockout record and Andre Fialho keeps busy.

The UFC returns to its home base of Las Vegas on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 215, which takes place at the UFC Apex and streams on ESPN+.

A heavyweight headliner serves atop the card. The most decorated knockout artist in UFC history returns to competition as [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] (26-10 MMA, 17-8 UFC) looks to buck his losing skid against the streaking [autotag]Serghei Spivac[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC).

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about UFC Fight Night 215.

Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Oct. 24-30)

All the UFC and Bellator fight announcements 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 or Bellator.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie from Oct. 24-30.

Ion Cutelaba vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu added to UFC Fight Night 215 on Nov. 19

A light heavyweight matchup between Ion Cutelaba vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu had been added to the lineup for UFC Fight Night 215.

A light heavyweight matchup between [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag] had been added to the lineup for UFC Fight Night 215 in November.

MMA Junkie verified with multiple people close to the situation that Cutelaba (16-8-1 MMA, 5-7-1 UFC) and Nzechukwu (10-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) have agreed to the fight. The people requested anonymity because the organization has yet to make an official announcement.

The UFC Fight Night 215 event takes place Nov. 19 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire event streams on ESPN+.

Cutelaba, 28, will attempt to avoid a three-fight losing skid for the first time in his career. He’s coming off a first-round submission defeat against Johnny Walker at UFC 279 in September, and has earned just one victory in his past six fights overall dating back to February 2020.

Nzechukwu, 30, meanwhile, comes in with some momentum after winning four of his past six fights. The Fortis MMA product is coming off a third-round TKO of Karl Roberson at UFC on ESPN 39 in July, and has earned all but one of his octagon victories by knockout.

The latest UFC Fight Night 215 lineup now includes:

  • Derrick Lewis vs. Serghei Spivac
  • Tereza Bleda vs. Natalia Silva
  • Kevin Natividad vs. Ricky Turcios
  • Vanessa Demopoulos vs. Maria Oliveira
  • Andre Fialho vs. Muslim Salikhov
  • Kyler Phillips vs. Jack Shore
  • Cody Brundage vs. Rodolfo Vieira
  • Charles Johnson vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov
  • Jennifer Maia vs. Maryna Moroz
  • Fernie Garcia vs. Brady Hiestand
  • Jose Johnson vs. Vince Morales
  • William Knight vs. Marcin Prachnio
  • Jack Della Maddalena vs. Danny Roberts
  • Ion Cutelaba vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu

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UFC on ESPN 39 post-event facts: Ricky Turcios’ rough striking numbers enter record books

Ricky Turcios landed just 11.5 percent of his strike attempts at UFC on ESPN 39, putting him in the record books for the wrong reasons.

After International Fight Week took over the MMA world, UFC on ESPN 39 on Saturday proved to be something of a hangover card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

[autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) put a highlight on the end of a long night of fights, though, when he scored a fifth-round knockout of former UFC champ [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] (32-14 MMA, 20-12 UFC) to extend his winning streak in the lightweight division to six consecutive fights.

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC on ESPN 39.

UFC on ESPN 39 video: Kennedy Nzechukwu TKOs Karl Roberson into fourth straight loss

Kennedy Nzechukwu showed off a new layer to his game in a dominant TKO win at UFC on ESPN 39.

[autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag] showed off a new layer to his game in a dominant win over [autotag]Karl Roberson[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 39.

Nzechukwu (10-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) used his grappling game to wear down Roberson (9-6 MMA, 4-6 UFC) in their light heavyweight bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. He then turned up the volume late and scored a merciful ground-and-pound stoppage win at the 2:19 mark of Round 3.

Check out the replay below (via Twitter):

Nzechukwu, the tall and lengthy knockout specialist, came into UFC on ESPN 39 with back-to-back losses on his record. He showed strides in his game against a Roberson who now has questions around his future after a fourth consecutive defeat.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 39 results include:

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UFC on ESPN 39 pre-event facts: Rafael dos Anjos on cusp of history

Check out the facts and figured behind UFC on ESPN 39, where Rafael dos Anjos near seven hours of cage time.

The UFC continues its busy July schedule Saturday with UFC on ESPN 39, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and airs on ESPN/streams on ESPN+.

A high-stakes lightweight clash serves as the main event of the card. Former 155-pound champion [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] (32-13 MMA, 20-11 UFC) continued his pursuit of gold when he takes on the surging [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in a five-round contest.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN 39.

UFC 272 medical suspensions: Renato Moicano out for 60 days after five rounds of damage

Conversely, three other fighters were handed 180-day suspensions by the Nevada commission.

Three UFC 272 fighters face six-month suspensions as a result of Saturday’s event, but co-main event participant [autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag] is not among them.

Moicano was handed a 60-day suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission following his UFC 272 co-main event loss to former lightweight champion [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] via five-round, unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The fight was largely one-sided through the first four rounds as Moicano, a replacement of four days’ notice, absorbed a tremendous amount of damage. Swollen and bloodied, but unwilling to go away, Moicano survived until the final bell – even when there were times where it seemed like referee Marc Goddard might step in. Despite all this, Moicano could be back competing as early as May.

Main event participants [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] and [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] received matching 45-day suspensions after five rounds of welterweight competition.

[autotag]Jalin Turner[/autotag], [autotag]Jamie Mullarkey[/autotag], and [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag] were the three fighters who received lengthy 180-day suspensions, for injuries sustained in their respective preliminary card bouts.

On Monday, The Underground, the official record keeper of the Association of Boxing Commissions, released a full list of UFC 272 fighter medical suspensions. All fighters’ suspensions can terminate sooner should they be cleared by a doctor.

Check out the full UFC 272 medical suspensions below.

UFC Fight Night 197 video: Da Un Jung swarms Kennedy Nzechukwu for first-round KO

Da Un Jung is still unbeaten through five UFC fights after putting Kennedy Nzechukwu to sleep at UFC Fight Night 197.

[autotag]Da Un Jung[/autotag]’s pressure and accuracy were too much for [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag] to handle at UFC Fight Night 197.

Jung (15-2-1 MMA, 4-0-1 UFC) remained unbeaten in his octagon career Saturday when he stopped Nzechukwu (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) with strikes at the 3:01 mark of Round 1 in the light heavyweight matchup, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The beginning of the end started with a punch that backed Nzechukwu up. Jung swarmed him with elbows, then landed a final blow that put his opponent down and out.

Check out the finish below (via Twitter):

The South Korean prospect said he’s gaining confidence in the aftermath of another win, and he’s prepared for a step up in competition at 205 pounds.

“Come on, everybody,” Jung said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping.

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