Nzechukwu vs Barnett

Who won Nzechukwu vs Barnett?

Kennedy Nzechukwu beat Chris Barnett by knockout in the 1st round during the prelims of UFC 308, on Saturday 26th October 2024 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Heavyweight division, which meant the weight limit was 265 pounds (18.9 stone or 120.2 KG).

Nzechukwu vs Barnett stats

Kennedy Nzechukwu stepped into the octagon with a record of 12 wins, 5 losses and 0 draws, 8 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 1 by submission.

Chris Barnett made his way to the cage with a record of 23 wins, 8 losses and 0 draws, 18 of those wins coming by knock out.

This was Kennedy Nzechukwu's 13th fight in the UFC, having made his debut for the promotion in 2019. Chris Barnett marked his 5th fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2021.

Kennedy Nzechukwu's UFC record stood at 8-5-0, while Chris Barnett's came in at 2-3-0.

The stats suggested Barnett had an advantage in power over Nzechukwu, with a 78% knock out percentage over Nzechukwu's 67%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Nzechukwu had a slight advantage over Barnett, with a 8% submission rate over Barnett's 0%.

Kennedy Nzechukwu was the younger man by 6 years, at 32 years old.

Nzechukwu had a height advantage of 8 inches over Barnett.

Nzechukwu was the less experienced professional fighter, having had 14 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2016, 7 years and 6 months later than Barnett, whose first professional fight was in 2009. He had fought 22 less professional rounds, 40 to Barnett's 62.

Nzechukwu vs Barnett form

Nzechukwu had beaten 3 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 2 of them, going to the judges once.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had lost to Ovince St. Preux at UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura on 16th March 2024 by split decision in their 3 round contest at UFC Apex, Las Vegas, United States.

Previous to that, he had been beaten by Dustin Jacoby at UFC Fight Night – Sandhagen vs. Font on 5th August 2023 by knockout in the 1st round at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville.

Going into that contest, he had won against Devin Clark at UFC 288 on 6th May 2023 by submission in the 2nd round at Prudential Center, Newark.

Before that, he had beaten Ion Cutelaba at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivak on 19th November 2022 by knockout in the 2nd round at UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

He had defeated Karl Roberson at UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev on 9th July 2022 by knockout in the 3rd round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Activity check

Nzechukwu's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 8 months and 19 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 6 months and 17 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 11 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.2 rounds on average.

Barnett's last 4 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 10 months and 6 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 11 months and 17 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 9 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.3 rounds on average.

What time did Nzechukwu vs Barnett start?

The fighters were expected to walk out at around 3:40 PM UTC , which was 11:40 AM EST or 8:40 AM PST on the West Coast of America, or 4:40 PM BST in the UK.

What were the odds on Nzechukwu vs Barnett?

Kennedy Nzechukwu was a 3/25 (-830) favourite going into the contest, while Chris Barnett made his way into the ring at 11/2 (+550) with oddsmakers.