Latest news with #ChidiNjokuani
USA Today
16-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC Vegas 104 winner Chidi Njokuani sees 'a real future' at welterweight, wants ranked opponent next
LAS VEGAS – Chidi Njokuani is excited about his future now fighting at 170 pounds. Since making his return to the welterweight division a year ago, the 36-year-old has picked up three consecutive wins. Saturday in the UFC Fight Night 254 co-main event, Njokuani (25-10 MMA, 5-3 UFC) viciously stopped Brazil's Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (25-9-1 MMA, 11-5-1 UFC) in the second round. He missed weight for the bout, coming in 1.25 pounds over the allowed limit. But the win, along with the streak, have Njokuani thinking he can do great things in the remainder of his fighting career. 'It feels great,' Njokuani told reporters at the UFC Fight Night 254 post-fight press conference. 'It actually feels like there's a real future in this weight class. 'At 185, I felt good, but there were times when people felt so big, and it's like, 'Damn, how long is this going to last?' At 170, I feel like I'm where I belong. I'm just as strong or stronger than these guys, and I'm just as fast or faster than these guys. It's all coming together now. This run is making a difference with my confidence and how I do things.' Njokuani thinks it's time he gets a step-up in the division. He has no once in mind specifically, but he'd like for his next fight to be against a ranked opponent. '(I want the) top 15,' Njokuani said. 'I don't really know any names, so anybody ranked in the top 15, I'm down to fight them. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.
USA Today
16-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC Fight Night 254 video: Chidi Njokuani blasts Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos with clinch knee en route to finish
Chidi Njokuani added another highlight to his reel Saturday. In the UFC Fight Night 254 co-main event, Njokuani (25-10 MMA, 5-3 UFC) blasted Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (25-9-1 MMA, 11-5-1 UFC) with a knee and finished the fight with strikes on the ground at the 2:19 mark of Round 2. The fight took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Njokuani missed weight ahead of the bout, which unfortunately for him will mean he's ineligible for a bonus. However, the win may open up other doors. The win was his third in a row and during his in-cage interview he called for a top-15 matchup next. Dos Santos falls to 1-2-1 in his most recent four. A member of the UFC roster since 2015, dos Santos will aim to right the ship in his next outing in order to get out of the rockiest stretch of his professional career. Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 254 results include: For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.
USA Today
13-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC Fight Night 254's Chidi Njokuani out to make statement vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
LAS VEGAS – Chidi Njokuani wants to take a big step in his fighting career, and he believes he's got the perfect platform to do so. Njokuani (24-10 MMA, 4-3 UFC) returns this Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 255 (ESPN+), which takes place at the UFC Apex. He takes on fellow welterweight veteran Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. 'It's been a long time coming, and I'm thankful for it,' Njokuani said at Wednesday's media day when asked about his thoughts on fighting in a co-main event. 'I don't think I've always deserved this, so I'm thankful for this. I do want to make a statement, and I do want to move up. It starts with the co-main, then the main, and then the title.' Njokuani, being the taller fighter with more range, plans to fight dos Santos (25-8-1 MMA, 11-4-1 UFC), a dangerous Brazilian striker, at a distance this Saturday. 'I feel like I fought opponents pretty similar in the past,' Njokuani said. 'It is a fight, so anything can happen, but I do want to keep him at the end of all my punches and kicks, and see how he does with that.' This bout on Saturday marks Njokuani's 36th professional fight. He's been fighting for almost 20 years, having made his debut in 2007. He says the key to fighting at a high level for a long time is motivation – which he makes sure to protect at all time. 'I think that's what it is – goals,' Njokuani explained. 'I have to attach goals to something. When I'm in the gym, my coaches are yelling, 'Top 15, top 15.' It motivates me more because there's something that I'm pushing for. I'm not just fighting just to fight. I want to be the best. I actually want something out of this.' For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.
