Cutelaba vs Nzechukwu

Who won Cutelaba vs Nzechukwu?

Kennedy Nzechukwu beat Ion Cutelaba by knockout in the 2nd round during the main event of UFC Fight Night, on Saturday 19th November 2022 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Light Heavyweight division, which meant the weight limit was 205 pounds (14.6 stone or 93 KG).

Cutelaba vs Nzechukwu stats

Ion Cutelaba stepped into the octagon with a record of 16 wins, 8 losses and 1 draw, 12 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 2 by submission.

Kennedy Nzechukwu made his way to the cage with a record of 10 wins, 3 losses and 0 draws, 7 of those wins coming by knock out.

Ion Cutelaba's UFC record stood at 6-9-1, while Kennedy Nzechukwu's came in at 6-5-0.

The stats suggested Cutelaba had a slight advantage in power over Nzechukwu, with a 75% knock out percentage over Nzechukwu's 70%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Cutelaba had an advantage over Nzechukwu, with a 13% submission rate over Nzechukwu's 0%.

Ion Cutelaba was the younger man by 2 years, at 30 years old.

Nzechukwu had a height advantage of 4 inches over Cutelaba. That also extended to a 8-inch reach advantage.

Cutelaba was the more experienced professional fighter, having had 12 more fights, and made his debut in 2012, 4 years and 7 months earlier than Nzechukwu, whose first professional fight was in 2016. He had fought 6 more professional rounds, 44 to Nzechukwu's 38.

Cutelaba vs Nzechukwu form

Ion Cutelaba had beaten 1 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had lost to Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivak on 19th November 2022 by knockout in the 2nd round at UFC Apex, Las Vegas, United States.

Previous to that, he had been beaten by Johnny Walker at UFC 279 on 10th September 2022 by submission in the 1st round at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.

Going into that contest, he had been defeated by Ryan Spann at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Rakić on 14th May 2022 by submission in the 1st round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Before that, he had won against Devin Clark at UFC Vegas 37 on 18th September 2021 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

He had drawn with Dustin Jacoby at UFC Vegas 25 on 1st May 2021 by split draw in their 3 round contest.

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

In his last fight before this contest, he had beaten 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, United States.

Previous to that, he had lost to Nick Negumereanu at UFC 272 on 5th March 2022 by split decision in their 3 round contest at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.

Going into that contest, he had been beaten by Da Un Jung at UFC Vegas 42 on 13th November 2021 by knockout in the 1st round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Before that, he had defeated Danilo Marques at UFC Vegas 30 on 26th June 2021 by knockout in the 3rd round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

He was victorious against Darko Sto i at UFC on ESPN 5 on 3rd August 2019 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Prudential Center, Newark.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Ion Cutelaba had been fighting more than Kennedy Nzechukwu.

Going to this contest, Ion Cutelaba had last fought 1 year, 8 months and 5 days ago, while Kennedy Nzechukwu's last outing had been 2 years and 15 days ago.

Cutelaba's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 2 months and 23 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 24 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 10 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2 rounds on average.

Nzechukwu's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 11 months and 21 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 11 months and 29 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 13 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.6 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Cutelaba vs Nzechukwu?

Ion Cutelaba was a 29/20 (+150) underdog going into the contest, while Kennedy Nzechukwu made his way into the ring at 14/25 (-180) with oddsmakers.