October 28, 2024 9:40 am ET
ABU DHABI – UFC 308 marked a pair of contemporary experiences for Kennedy Nzechukwu.
Nzechukwu (13-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) made his divisional debut Saturday at heavyweight as he defeated Chris Barnett (23-9 MMA, 2-3 UFC) by way of first-round TKO at Etihad Area on Yas Island.
The struggle ended due partly to an harm to Barnett’s leg, however Nzcehukwu was nonetheless comfortable to easily get his ft moist in his new aggressive body.
“It was since my docs advised me that with my body, my organs had been going to harm me in the long term,” Nzechukwu advised MMA Junkie and different reporters at a post-fight information convention. “I used to be vomiting each time throughout struggle week. Simply reducing that final 10 kilos was killing me. I stroll round at 245. Simply reducing that 40 kilos is an excessive amount of. I take advantage of totally different nutritionists and it simply wasn’t working. The final three days had been hell, so we determined to go up in weight. It simply felt higher right here.”
Nzechukwu, who beforehand wanted to hit 206 kilos on the dimensions at mild heavyweight, weighed in at 241 kilos at Friday’s weigh-ins. Nzechukwu stated his focus was on power coaching throughout this camp, which he did principally with a brand new coach, Steven Wright, of Warfare Room MMA in Forth Value, Texas. Nzcheukwu’s longtime coach Sayif Saud, of Fortis MMA, additionally cornered him for Saturday’s struggle. “I simply needed to concentrate on my talent set,” Nzechukwu stated. “Athleticism can solely take you to this point on this sport. So simply upgrading. That’s after I moved to Warfare Room. That’s my coach proper there, Steven Wright. He’s been serving to me. We’ve been making large leaps and bounds. I’m simply grateful for God.”
“… I simply wanted to improve. I wanted somebody who’s nerdy concerning the hanging sport. Ask coach Steve and he simply is aware of it. He’s been coaching and trains with numerous totally different Dutch fighters, Thai fighters. He simply has developed numerous expertise through the years. I simply want to soak up all that.”
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