Zaleski vs Njokuani

Who won Zaleski vs Njokuani?

Chidi Njokuani beat Elizeu Zaleski by knockout in the 2nd round during the co-main event of UFC Fight Night, on Saturday 15th March 2025 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Welterweight division, which meant the weight limit was 170 pounds (12.1 stone or 77.1 KG).

Zaleski vs Njokuani stats

Elizeu Zaleski stepped into the octagon with a record of 24 wins, 8 losses and 1 draw, 14 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 3 by submission.

Chidi Njokuani made his way to the cage with a record of 24 wins, 10 losses and 0 draws, 14 of those wins coming by knock out and 1 by submission.

This was Elizeu Zaleski's 17th fight in the UFC, having made his debut for the promotion in 2015. Chidi Njokuani marked his 8th fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2022.

Elizeu Zaleski's UFC record stood at 11-5-1, while Chidi Njokuani's came in at 5-3-0.

The stats suggested that Zaleski and Njokuani have similar power, both with a 58% knock out percentage.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Zaleski had a slight advantage over Njokuani, with a 13% submission rate over Njokuani's 4%.

Elizeu Zaleski was the older man by 2 years, at 38 years old.

Njokuani had a height advantage of 4 inches over Zaleski. That also extended to a 7-inch reach advantage.

Zaleski was arguably the less experienced fighter, having had 1 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2009, 2 years later than Njokuani, whose first professional fight was in 2007. He had fought 1 more professional rounds, 75 to Njokuani's 74.

Zaleski vs Njokuani form

Elizeu Zaleski had beaten 2 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had lost to Chidi Njokuani at UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2 on 15th March 2025 by knockout in the 2nd round at UFC Apex, Las Vegas, United States.

Previous to that, he had been beaten by Randy Brown at UFC 302 on 1st June 2024 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Prudential Center, Newark.

Going into that contest, he had drawn with Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC Fight Night – Almeida vs. Lewis on 4th November 2023 by unanimous decision in the 3rd round at Ibirapuera Gymnasium, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Before that, he had won against Abubakar Nurmagomedov at UFC Fight Night – Kara-France vs. Albazi on 3rd June 2023 by split decision in their 3 round contest at UFC Apex, Las Vegas, United States.

He had beaten Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 267 on 30th October 2021 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest.

Chidi Njokuani had beaten 2 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he had defeated Jared Gooden at UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira on 12th October 2024 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at UFC Apex, Las Vegas, United States.

Previous to that, he was victorious against Rhys McKee at UFC Fight Night: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot on 30th March 2024 by split decision in their 3 round contest at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City.

Going into that contest, he had been defeated by Michal Oleksiejczuk at UFC Fight Night – Holloway vs. Korean Zombie on 26th August 2023 by knockout in the 1st round at Singapore Indoor Stadium, Kallang, Singapore.

Before that, he had lost to Albert Duraev at UFC Fight Night San Antonio on 25th March 2023 by split decision in their 3 round contest at AT&T Center, San Antonio, United States.

He had been beaten by Gregory Rodrigues at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song on 17th September 2022 by knockout in the 2nd round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Chidi Njokuani had been fighting more than Elizeu Zaleski.

Going to this contest, Elizeu Zaleski had last fought 3 months and 13 days ago, while Chidi Njokuani's last outing had been 8 months and 16 days ago.

Zaleski's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 7 months and 29 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 8 months and 24 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 14 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.8 rounds on average.

Njokuani's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 9 months and 11 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 6 months and 22 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 12 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.4 rounds on average.

What time did Zaleski vs Njokuani start?

The fighters were expected to walk out at around 12:10 AM UTC , which was 8:10 PM EST or 5:10 PM PST on the West Coast of America, or 12:10 AM GMT in the UK.

What were the odds on Zaleski vs Njokuani?

Elizeu Zaleski was a 47/100 (-210) favourite going into the contest, while Chidi Njokuani made his way into the ring at 7/4 (+180) with oddsmakers.