Kennedy Nzechukwu Explained

Kennedy Nzechukwu
Other Names:African Savage
Birth Name:Kennedy Nzechukwu
Birth Date:13 June 1992
Birth Place:Imo State, Nigeria
Weight Lb:241
Weight Class:Light Heavyweight (2017–2024)
Heavyweight (2015–2016, 2024–present)
Reach:83 in[1]
Stance:Southpaw
Fighting Out Of:Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Team:Fortis MMA (2015–2024)[2]
War Room MMA (2024–present)[3]
Years Active:2016–present
Mma Kowin:9
Mma Subwin:1
Mma Decwin:3
Mma Koloss:2
Mma Subloss:1
Mma Decloss:2
Sherdog:212289

Kennedy Nzechukwu (born June 13, 1992) is a Nigerian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background

Nzechukwu moved from Nigeria to the United States with his family in 2010.[4] He started training in mixed martial arts when his mother brought him to Fortis MMA in 2015 to learn some discipline. He attended college but dropped out in order to pursue a career in mixed martial arts and [5] after his mother was diagnosed with ALS.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

After his amateur career, Nzechukwu turned professional, racking two straight victories in the Xtreme Knockout organization. He was then invited to compete in the Dana White's Contender Series. His bout took place on August 22, 2017, at Dana White's Contender Series 7 against Anton Berzin. He won the bout via split decision but did not receive a contract to the UFC.[7]

He then returned to the regional circuit and notched two knockout victories in XKO and Legacy Fighting Alliance.[8]

Dana White's Contender Series

Nzechukwu was then invited a second time to Dana White's Contender Series, this time facing Dennis Bryant at Dana White's Contender Series 16 on August 7, 2018. He won the bout via first-round knockout and received a UFC contract.[9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Nzechukwu made his UFC debut against Paul Craig on March 30, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 2.[10] He lost the fight via triangle choke in the third round.[11]

Nzechukwu faced Darko Stošić on August 3, 2019, at .[12] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[13]

Nzechukwu faced Carlos Ulberg on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259.[14] Ulberg started strong, hurting Nzechukwu badly with strikes and kicks, but quickly became exhausted, resulting in Nzechukwu winning the fight via knockout in round two.[15] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[16]

Nzechukwu faced Danilo Marques, replacing Ed Herman on June 26, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 190.[17] After largely being controlled for most of the bout, he rallied and won the fight via TKO in the third round.[18] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.[19]

Nzechukwu was scheduled to face Da Un Jung on October 16, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 195.[20] However, the bout was postponed to UFC Fight Night 197 on November 13, 2021, for unknown reasons.[21] Nzechukwu lost the fight via knockout in round one.[22]

Nzechukwu, as a replacement for Ihor Potieria, faced Nicolae Negumereanu on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272.[23] He lost the fight via split decision.[24] 8 out of 15 media scores gave it to Nzechukwu, while 6 scored it a draw, with only one giving it to Negumereanu.[25]

Nzechukw faced Karl Roberson on July 9, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 39.[26] He won the fight via technical knockout in round three.[27]

Nzechukwu faced Ion Cuțelaba on November 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 215.[28] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[29] With this win, Nzechukwu earned the Performance of the Night award.[30]

Nzechukwu faced Devin Clark on May 6, 2023, at UFC 288.[31] He won the fight via technical submission in the second round.[32]

Nzechukwu faced Dustin Jacoby on August 5, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225.[33] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[34]

Nzechukwu faced Ovince Saint Preux on March 16, 2024 at, UFC Fight Night 239.[35] He lost the bout by split decision.[36]

Return to heavyweight

Nzechukwu was scheduled to face Marcos Rogério de Lima in a heavyweight bout on October 26, 2024 at UFC 308.[37] However, de Lima withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by Justin Tafa.[38] Subsequently, Tafa withdrew from the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Chris Barnett.[39] [40] Nzechukwu won the fight by technical knockout in the first round.[41]

Replacing an injured Tallison Teixeira, Nzechukwu is scheduled to face Łukasz Brzeski on December 7, 2024 at UFC 310.[42]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Win|align=center|13–5|Chris Barnett|TKO (knee to the body and punches) |UFC 308| |align=center|1|align=center|4:27|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates||-|Loss|align=center|12–5|Ovince Saint Preux|Decision (split)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|12–4|Dustin Jacoby|TKO (punches)|||align=center|1|align=center|1:22|Nashville, Tennessee, United States||-|Win|align=center|12–3|Devin Clark|Technical Submission (guillotine choke)|UFC 288||align=center|2|align=center|2:28|Newark, New Jersey, United States ||-|Win|align=center|11–3|Ion Cuțelaba|TKO (flying knee and punches)|||align=center|2|align=center|1:02|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|10–3|Karl Roberson|TKO (elbows)|||align=center|3|align=center|2:19|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|9–3|Nicolae Negumereanu|Decision (split)|UFC 272||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|9–2|Jung Da-un|KO (elbows)|||align=center|1|align=center|3:04|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|9–1|Danilo Marques|TKO (punches)|||align=center|3|align=center|0:20|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|8–1|Carlos Ulberg|KO (punches)|UFC 259||align=center|2|align=center|3:19|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|7–1|Darko Stošić|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Newark, New Jersey, United States||-|Loss|align=center|6–1|Paul Craig|Submission (triangle choke) |||align=center|3|align=center|4:20|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States||-|Win|align=center|6–0|Dennis Bryant|TKO (head kick and punches)|Dana White's Contender Series 16||align=center|1|align=center|1:48|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|5–0|Corey Johnson|TKO (punches)|LFA 40||align=center|2|align=center|1:18|Dallas, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|4–0|Andre Kavanaugh|TKO (punches)|XKO 40||align=center|1|align=center|2:40|Dallas, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|3–0|Anton Berzin|Decision (split)|Dana White's Contender Series 7 ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|2–0|Thai Walwyn|Decision (unanimous)|XKO 34||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Dallas, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Matt Foster|TKO (punches)|XKO 33||align=center|1|align=center|2:06|Dallas, Texas, United States|[43]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stats UFC. 2020-10-04. ufcstats.com.
  2. Web site: UFC Philadelphia: Kennedy Nzechukwu on Aspirations, Kamaru Usman, and More. Blaine Henry. March 24, 2019. cagesidepress.com.
  3. Web site: Kennedy Nzechukwu explains changing weight class, gyms for UFC 308. October 28, 2024. Nolan King. Mike Bohn. mmajunkie.com.
  4. Web site: Nzechukwu Hopes To Bring A Victory Home To Mom. March 25, 2019. Ultimate Fighting Championship. E. Spencer Kyte.
  5. Web site: UFC Philadelphia: Kennedy Nzechukwu on Aspirations, Kamaru Usman, and More. Blaine Henry. March 24, 2019. cagesidepress.com.
  6. Web site: Henry . Blaine . UFC Philadelphia: Kennedy Nzechukwu on Aspirations, Kamaru Usman, and More . Cageside Press . 22 February 2021 . 24 March 2019.
  7. Web site: Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series 7 results: Joby Sanchez, Benito Lopez earn UFC contracts. mmafighting.com . Danny Segura. 2017-08-22. 2017-08-22.
  8. Web site: LFA 40 Results: Aguilar Crushes Le, Unifies Featherweight Belt. Rob Tatum. May 25, 2018. combatpress.com.
  9. Web site: DWTNCS results: Greg Hardy scores 17-second knockout of Taboris Gordon. mmafighting.com . Dave Doyle. 2018-08-07. 2018-08-07.
  10. News: Paul Craig: UFC Scot to fight Kennedy Nzechukwu in Philadelphia. bbc.com. Amy MacBeath. 2019-01-23. 2019-01-23.
  11. Web site: UFC Philadelphia: Paul Craig subs Kennedy Nzechukwu despite repeated eyepokes. 2019-03-31. MMA Junkie. en. 2019-03-31.
  12. Web site: UFC on ESPN 5 Main Card Preview. Fortune. Ryan. 2019-08-02. MMASucka.com. en-US. 2019-09-25.
  13. Web site: Kennedy Nzechukwu supera a Darko Stošić en UFC Newark. Fern. Julio. Navas. o. 2019-08-03. MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español.. es-ES. 2019-09-25.
  14. Web site: Carlos Ulberg makes UFC debut against Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 259. mmadna.nl. Marcel Dorff. 2021-01-28. 2024-11-26.
  15. Web site: Bitter. Shawn. 2021-03-06. UFC 259 Results: Carlos Ulberg Gets Rude Welcome from Kennedy Nzechukwu. 2021-03-07. Cageside Press. en-US.
  16. Web site: Lee . Alexander K. . UFC 259 bonuses: Kennedy Nzechukwu and Carlos Ulberg earn Fight of the Night for back-and-forth scrap . MMA Fighting . 7 March 2021 . en . 7 March 2021.
  17. Web site: Kennedy Nzechukwu replaces Ed Herman, meets Danilo Marques at UFC Fight Night 190. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2021-06-14. 2021-06-14.
  18. Web site: Behunin. Alex. 2021-06-26. UFC Vegas 30 Results: Kennedy Nzechukwu Mounts Third-Round Comeback, Stops Danilo Marques. 2021-06-26. Cageside Press. en-US.
  19. Web site: Marrocco. Steven. 2021-06-26. UFC Vegas 30 bonuses: Raoni Barcelos vs. Timur Valiev wins ‘Fight of the Night’. 2021-06-27. MMA Fighting. en.
  20. Web site: Dorff. Marcel. 2021-08-31. Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Da Un Jung toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 16 oktober. 2021-08-31. MMA DNA. nl.
  21. Web site: Fight pushed back . rotowire.com. Staff. 2021-10-07. 2021-10-07.
  22. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2021-11-13. UFC Vegas 42: Da Un Jung Batters Kennedy Nzechukwu with Elbows. 2021-11-13. Cageside Press. en-US.
  23. Web site: Wannan. Jack. 2022-02-04. Kennedy Nzechukwu Steps In To Face Nick Negumereanu At UFC 272. 2022-02-15. Knockdown News. en.
  24. Web site: McClory . Mike . 2022-03-05 . UFC 272: Nicolae Negumereanu Survives Eye Pokes, Wins Split Decision Against Kennedy Nzechukwu . 2022-03-06 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  25. Web site: Nicolae Negumereanu def. Kennedy Nzechukwu :: UFC 272 :: MMA Decisions . 2022-03-09 . mmadecisions.com.
  26. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2022-06-06 . Karl Roberson vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu Booked for UFC's July 9 Event . 2022-06-07 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  27. Web site: Law . Eddie . 2022-07-09 . UFC Vegas 58: Kennedy Nzechukwu Dominates Roberson From Start To Finish, Gets R3 TKO . 2022-07-09 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  28. Web site: Ion Cutelaba vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu added to UFC Fight Night 215 on Nov. 19. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Mike Bohn and Nolan King. 2022-10-28. 2022-10-28.
  29. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2022-11-19 . UFC Vegas 65: Kennedy Nzechukwu Finishes Ion Cutelaba in Impromptu Main Event . 2022-11-19 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  30. Web site: UFC Fight Night 215 bonuses: Jack Della Maddalena's first-round blitz among four POTN winners. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Staff. 2022-11-19. 2022-11-19.
  31. Web site: Arshad . 2023-03-01 . Devin Clark vs Kennedy Nzechukwu Reportedly Set for UFC 288 . 2023-03-03 . www.itnwwe.com . en-US.
  32. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2023-05-06 . UFC 288: Kennedy Nzechukwu Chokes Out Devin Clark in Wild Scrap . 2023-05-08 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  33. Web site: 2023-05-18 . UFC light heavyweights Dustin Jacoby, Kennedy Nzechukwu to collide Aug. 5 . 2023-05-20 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  34. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2023-08-05 . Dustin Jacoby Drops Nzechukwu with Counter Right Hand, Earns First Round TKO . 2023-08-06 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  35. Web site: 2024-01-16 . UFC books Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Ovince Saint Preux . 2024-01-17 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  36. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2024-03-17 . UFC Vegas 88: Ovince St. Preux Upsets Seven-to-One Favorite Kennedy Nzechukwu . 2024-03-17 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  37. Web site: Marcos Rogerio de Lima to Face Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 308 on Oct. 26. Sayan Nag. sherdog.com. 2024-08-03. 2024-08-03.
  38. Web site: UFC 308: Justin Tafa books UFC return against Kennedy Nzechukwu in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Reive. nzherald.co.nz. 2024-09-12. 2024-09-12.
  39. Web site: Chris Barnett Gets New Booking, Faces Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 308. cagesidepress.com. Staff. 2024-10-12. 2024-10-12.
  40. Web site: 2 Changes To Massive UFC 308 Card Have Made The Event Even Better. forbes.com. Brian Mazique. 2024-10-21. 2024-10-21.
  41. Web site: UFC 308: Kennedy Nzechukwu Stops Hobbled Chris Barnett. cagesidepress.com. Jay Anderson. 2024-10-26. 2024-10-26.
  42. Web site: UFC 310: Veteran saves heavyweight clash to finalize pay-per-view lineup. November 24, 2024. mmafighting.com. Mike Heck.
  43. Web site: Kennedy "American Savage" Nzechukwu MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com. Sherdog. November 26, 2024.

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