Kennedy Ikenna Nzechukwu (born June 13, 1992) is a Nigerian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of March 11, 2025, he is #15 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.
Background
Nzechukwu moved from Nigeria to the United States with his family in 2010. 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 after his mother was diagnosed with ALS.
Mixed martial arts career
Early care
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.
He then returned to the regional circuit and notched two knockout victories in XKO and Legacy Fighting Alliance.
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.[
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Nzechukwu made his UFC debut against Paul Craig on March 30, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 2. He lost the fight via triangle choke in the third round.
Nzechukwu faced Darko Stošić on August 3, 2019, at UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Lawler. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Nzechukwu faced Carlos Ulberg on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259. 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. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.
Nzechukwu faced Danilo Marques, replacing Ed Herman on June 26, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 190. After largely being controlled for most of the bout, he rallied and won the fight via TKO in the third round. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Nzechukwu was scheduled to face Da Un Jung on October 16, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 195. However, the bout was postponed to UFC Fight Night 197 on November 13, 2021, for unknown reasons. Nzechukwu lost the fight via knockout in round one.
Nzechukwu, as a replacement for Ihor Potieria, faced Nicolae Negumereanu on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272. He lost the fight via split decision. 8 out of 15 media scores gave it to Nzechukwu, while 6 scored it a draw, with only one giving it to Negumereanu.
Nzechukw faced Karl Roberson on July 9, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 39. He won the fight via technical knockout in round three.
Nzechukwu faced Ion Cuțelaba on November 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 215. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two. With this win, Nzechukwu earned the Performance of the Night award.
Nzechukwu faced Devin Clark on May 6, 2023, at UFC 288.He won the fight via technical submission in the second round.
Nzechukwu faced Dustin Jacoby on August 5, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225.[34] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
Nzechukwu faced Ovince Saint Preux on March 16, 2024 at, UFC Fight Night 239.[36] He lost the bout by split decision.
Return to heavyweight
Nzechukwu was scheduled to face Marcos Rogério de Lima in a heavyweight bout on October 26, 2024 at UFC 308.However, de Lima withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by Justin Tafa. Subsequently, Tafa withdrew from the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Chris Barnett. Nzechukwu won the fight by technical knockout in the first round.
Replacing an injured Tallison Teixeira, Nzechukwu faced Łukasz Brzeski on December 7, 2024 at UFC 310. He won the fight by technical knockout via punches at the end of the first round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.
Nzechukwu was scheduled to face Martin Buday on April 5, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 65. However, Nzechukwu was removed from the event due to injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Uran Satybaldiev.
