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Kennedy Nzechukwu

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Kennedy Nzechukwu
BornKennedy Ikenna Nzechukwu
(1992-06-13) June 13, 1992 (age 32)
Imo State, Nigeria
Other namesAfrican Savage
Height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight237 lb (108 kg; 16 st 13 lb)
DivisionLight Heavyweight (2017–2024)
Heavyweight (2015–2016, 2024–present)
Reach83 in (211 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofDallas, Texas, U.S.
TeamFortis MMA (2015–2024)[2]
War Room MMA (2024–present)[3]
Years active2016–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins14
By knockout10
By submission1
By decision3
Losses5
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Kennedy Ikenna Nzechukwu[4] // ⓘ (born June 13, 1992) is a Nigerian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background

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Nzechukwu moved from Nigeria to the United States with his family in 2010.[5] He started training in mixed martial arts when his mother brought him to Fortis MMA in 2015 to learn some discipline.[5] He attended college but dropped out in order to pursue a career in mixed martial arts and [2] after his mother was diagnosed with ALS.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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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

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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

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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 UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Lawler.[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

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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 faced Łukasz Brzeski on December 7, 2024 at UFC 310.[42] He won the fight by technical knockout via punches at the end of the first round.[43] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[44]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
19 matches 14 wins 5 losses
By knockout 10 2
By submission 1 1
By decision 3 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 14–5 Łukasz Brzeski TKO (punches) UFC 310 December 7, 2024 1 4:51 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 13–5 Chris Barnett TKO (knee to the body and punches) UFC 308 October 26, 2024 1 4:27 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Return to Heavyweight.
Loss 12–5 Ovince Saint Preux Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura March 16, 2024 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 12–4 Dustin Jacoby TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font August 5, 2023 1 1:22 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win 12–3 Devin Clark Technical Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 288 May 6, 2023 2 2:28 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win 11–3 Ion Cuțelaba TKO (flying knee and punches) UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba November 19, 2022 2 1:02 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 10–3 Karl Roberson TKO (elbows) UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Fiziev July 9, 2022 3 2:19 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 9–3 Nicolae Negumereanu Decision (split) UFC 272 March 5, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Nzechukwu was deducted one point in round 3 due to repeated eye pokes.
Loss 9–2 Jung Da-un KO (elbows) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez November 13, 2021 1 3:04 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–1 Danilo Marques TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov June 26, 2021 3 0:20 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 8–1 Carlos Ulberg KO (punches) UFC 259 March 6, 2021 2 3:19 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 7–1 Darko Stošić Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Lawler August 3, 2019 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States Stošić was deducted two points, one in round 2 and one in round 3, both due to repeated groin strikes.
Loss 6–1 Paul Craig Submission (triangle choke) UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje March 30, 2019 3 4:20 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Nzechukwu was deducted one point in round 3 due to repeated eye pokes.
Win 6–0 Dennis Bryant TKO (head kick and punches) Dana White's Contender Series 16 August 7, 2018 1 1:48 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 5–0 Corey Johnson TKO (punches) LFA 40 May 25, 2018 2 1:18 Dallas, Texas, United States
Win 4–0 Andre Kavanaugh TKO (punches) XKO 40 March 10, 2018 1 2:40 Dallas, Texas, United States Heavyweight bout.
Win 3–0 Anton Berzin Decision (split) Dana White's Contender Series 7 August 22, 2017 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 2–0 Thai Walwyn Decision (unanimous) XKO 34 January 28, 2017 3 5:00 Dallas, Texas, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Win 1–0 Matt Foster TKO (punches) XKO 33 November 5, 2016 1 2:06 Dallas, Texas, United States Heavyweight debut.

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  2. ^ a b Blaine Henry (March 24, 2019). "UFC Philadelphia: Kennedy Nzechukwu on Aspirations, Kamaru Usman, and More". cagesidepress.com.
  3. ^ Nolan King; Mike Bohn (October 28, 2024). "Kennedy Nzechukwu explains changing weight class, gyms for UFC 308". mmajunkie.com.
  4. ^ "Kennedy Nzechukwu explains changing weight class, gyms for UFC 308". Yahoo Sports. 2024-10-28. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  5. ^ a b E. Spencer Kyte (March 25, 2019). "Nzechukwu Hopes To Bring A Victory Home To Mom". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  6. ^ Henry, Blaine (24 March 2019). "UFC Philadelphia: Kennedy Nzechukwu on Aspirations, Kamaru Usman, and More". Cageside Press. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  7. ^ Danny Segura (2017-08-22). "Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series 7 results: Joby Sanchez, Benito Lopez earn UFC contracts". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  8. ^ Rob Tatum (May 25, 2018). "LFA 40 Results: Aguilar Crushes Le, Unifies Featherweight Belt". combatpress.com.
  9. ^ Dave Doyle (2018-08-07). "DWTNCS results: Greg Hardy scores 17-second knockout of Taboris Gordon". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  10. ^ Amy MacBeath (2019-01-23). "Paul Craig: UFC Scot to fight Kennedy Nzechukwu in Philadelphia". bbc.com. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  11. ^ "UFC Philadelphia: Paul Craig subs Kennedy Nzechukwu despite repeated eyepokes". MMA Junkie. 2019-03-31. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  12. ^ Fortune, Ryan (2019-08-02). "UFC on ESPN 5 Main Card Preview". MMASucka.com. Retrieved 2019-09-25.
  13. ^ Fern, Julio; Navas, o (2019-08-03). "Kennedy Nzechukwu supera a Darko Stošić en UFC Newark". MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2019-09-25.
  14. ^ Marcel Dorff (2021-01-28). "Carlos Ulberg makes UFC debut against Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 259". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2024-11-26. (in Dutch)
  15. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2021-03-06). "UFC 259 Results: Carlos Ulberg Gets Rude Welcome from Kennedy Nzechukwu". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  16. ^ a b Lee, Alexander K. (7 March 2021). "UFC 259 bonuses: Kennedy Nzechukwu and Carlos Ulberg earn Fight of the Night for back-and-forth scrap". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  17. ^ Nolan King (2021-06-14). "Kennedy Nzechukwu replaces Ed Herman, meets Danilo Marques at UFC Fight Night 190". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  18. ^ Behunin, Alex (2021-06-26). "UFC Vegas 30 Results: Kennedy Nzechukwu Mounts Third-Round Comeback, Stops Danilo Marques". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  19. ^ a b Marrocco, Steven (2021-06-26). "UFC Vegas 30 bonuses: Raoni Barcelos vs. Timur Valiev wins 'Fight of the Night'". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  20. ^ Dorff, Marcel (2021-08-31). "Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Da Un Jung toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 16 oktober". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  21. ^ Staff (2021-10-07). "Fight pushed back". rotowire.com. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  22. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-11-13). "UFC Vegas 42: Da Un Jung Batters Kennedy Nzechukwu with Elbows". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
  23. ^ Wannan, Jack (2022-02-04). "Kennedy Nzechukwu Steps In To Face Nick Negumereanu At UFC 272". Knockdown News. Retrieved 2022-02-15.
  24. ^ McClory, Mike (2022-03-05). "UFC 272: Nicolae Negumereanu Survives Eye Pokes, Wins Split Decision Against Kennedy Nzechukwu". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  25. ^ "Nicolae Negumereanu def. Kennedy Nzechukwu :: UFC 272 :: MMA Decisions". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  26. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-06-06). "Karl Roberson vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu Booked for UFC's July 9 Event". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  27. ^ Law, Eddie (2022-07-09). "UFC Vegas 58: Kennedy Nzechukwu Dominates Roberson From Start To Finish, Gets R3 TKO". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
  28. ^ Mike Bohn and Nolan King (2022-10-28). "Ion Cutelaba vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu added to UFC Fight Night 215 on Nov. 19". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  29. ^ Dewar, Val (2022-11-19). "UFC Vegas 65: Kennedy Nzechukwu Finishes Ion Cutelaba in Impromptu Main Event". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  30. ^ a b Staff (2022-11-19). "UFC Fight Night 215 bonuses: Jack Della Maddalena's first-round blitz among four POTN winners". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  31. ^ Arshad (2023-03-01). "Devin Clark vs Kennedy Nzechukwu Reportedly Set for UFC 288". www.itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  32. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-05-06). "UFC 288: Kennedy Nzechukwu Chokes Out Devin Clark in Wild Scrap". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  33. ^ "UFC light heavyweights Dustin Jacoby, Kennedy Nzechukwu to collide Aug. 5". MMA Junkie. 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  34. ^ Dewar, Val (2023-08-05). "Dustin Jacoby Drops Nzechukwu with Counter Right Hand, Earns First Round TKO". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  35. ^ "UFC books Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Ovince Saint Preux". MMA Junkie. 2024-01-16. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  36. ^ Dewar, Val (2024-03-17). "UFC Vegas 88: Ovince St. Preux Upsets Seven-to-One Favorite Kennedy Nzechukwu". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  37. ^ Sayan Nag (2024-08-03). "Marcos Rogerio de Lima to Face Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 308 on Oct. 26". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  38. ^ Christopher Reive (2024-09-12). "UFC 308: Justin Tafa books UFC return against Kennedy Nzechukwu in Abu Dhabi". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  39. ^ Staff (2024-10-12). "Chris Barnett Gets New Booking, Faces Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 308". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  40. ^ Brian Mazique (2024-10-21). "2 Changes To Massive UFC 308 Card Have Made The Event Even Better". forbes.com. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  41. ^ Jay Anderson (2024-10-26). "UFC 308: Kennedy Nzechukwu Stops Hobbled Chris Barnett". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  42. ^ Mike Heck (November 24, 2024). "UFC 310: Veteran saves heavyweight clash to finalize pay-per-view lineup". mmafighting.com.
  43. ^ Nolan King (2024-12-07). "UFC 310 video: Kennedy Nzechukwu crushes Lukasz Brzeski with devastating knockout blows". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  44. ^ a b Dan Hiergesell (2024-12-08). "Bonuses! Hooper, Luque bank $50K for impressive submission wins - UFC 310". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
  45. ^ "Kennedy "American Savage" Nzechukwu MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
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