UFC ON ESPN 50: Dustin Jacoby vs Kennedy Nzechukwu 08/05/2023 Fight Odds, Analysis and Picks

UFC ON ESPN 50: Jacoby vs Nzechukwu 08/05/2023 – Light heavyweight fighters Dustin Jacoby and Kennedy Nzechukwu square off in a three-round clash on Saturday, August 5, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The match is part of the UFC ON ESPN 50 fight card that features Cory Sandhagen and Rob Font in the main event. Nzechukwu is one of the fast-rising stars in the 205-pound division and he is looking for his fourth consecutive win inside the octagon. The Nigerian is 15th in the light heavyweight rankings as he looks to boost his stock in the weight class. On the other hand, Jacoby looks to arrest his two-fight slide and remain in the UFC’s Top 15 list. Online MMA fight picks and parlays are already updated for UFC aficionados who want to watch an exciting clash between the promotion’s big boys and earn additional money at the same time.

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Main Card

Dustin Jacoby

Jacoby (18-7-1, 6-2-1 UFC) kicked off his UFC career with a bang, winning six of his first seven bouts. This included victories over Justin Ledet, Maxim Grishin, John Allan, Michal Oleksiejczuk and Jung Da-un. Those wins helped the fighter known as “The Hanyak” rise in the light heavyweight rankings. However, Jacoby stumbled in his next two fights, losing to Khalil Rountree Jr and Azamat Murzakanov by close decisions. The setbacks stopped his run in the 205-pound division and relegated him to No14. The Colorado native hopes to break the losing streak and rejuvenate his status in the division with a win over Nzechukwu.

In terms of statistics, Jacoby is two inches shorter than the Nigerian and has a seven-inch reach disadvantage going into the fight. The length issues will likely affect his ability to knock out opponents. Jacoby has 12 stoppages (11 knockouts and one submission) and six decision wins on his sleeve. In his seven losses, the American has lost once via knockout and twice by submission. The 35-year-old fighter is effective in the striking with a significant strike accuracy rate of 47%. He has landed 5.44 strikes per minute and absorbed 4.03 strikes/minute. He is also good in defense against strikes as he has telegraphed 58% of the attacks against him. Grappling wise, Jacoby has fended off 60% of the takedowns launched against him. His takedown accuracy rate is 25% at an average of 0.4 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Kennedy Nzechukwu

Nzechukwu (12-3, 6-3 UFC) signed with the UFC after winning via first-round technical knockout over Dennis Bryant in the Dana White’s Contender Series 16. However, his debut went off at the wrong foot as he tapped out to Paul Craig in the third round. The Nigerian bounced back from the setback by winning three straight matches to Darko Stosic, Carlos Ulberg and Danilo Marques. Nzechukwu’s ascent to the 205-pound division was stopped prematurely as he lost in his next two bouts against Jung Da-un and Nicolae Negumereanu. The 31-year-old Nigerian avoided a third-consecutive setback in July 2022 when he defeated Karl Roberson. That kicked off Nzechukwu’s second three-fight winning streak. He followed up the victory over Roberson with a two-round technical knockout win over Ion Cutelaba in November 2022. Six months later, he made it three in a row when he submitted Devin Clark in two rounds.

Stats wise, Nzechukwu comes into the fight with a two-inch height advantage and a seven-inch edge in reach. He would likely use this in keeping himself away from Jacoby’s attacks while executing his own offense. Of his 12 victories, nine were stoppages (eight knockouts and one submission). Nzechukwu has lost once via knockout and had one defeat via submission. In terms of striking, the Nigerian has averaged 4.89 significant strikes landed per minute. His striking accuracy rate of 46% and has absorbed 4.23 strikes per minute. He was able to fend off 51% of the punches or kicks launched against him. Nzechukwu has a glaring edge in grappling as he has normed 0.69 takedowns per 15 minutes. His takedown accuracy is good at 50% but the Nigerian’s takedown defense is better at 80%. His submission average is 0.28 per 15 minutes.