Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcus Buchecha prediction, odds, pick for UFC Vegas 112

The UFC Vegas 112 Foremost Card continues to roll from the UFC Apex as we’ll see one other tilt within the Heavyweight Division highlight our motion. Nigeria’s Kennedy Nzechukwu will tackle Brazil’s Marcus Buchecha in one among the more intriguing fights of the night. Check our UFC odds series for the Nzechukwu-Buchecha prediction and pick.

Kennedy Nzechukwu (14-6) has gone 8-6 contained in the UFC since 2019. After posting back-to-back wins in the primary round via knockout, Nzechukwu dropped his most up-to-date fight by the hands of Valter Walker. He’ll look to bounce back because the slight betting favorite here. Nzechukwu stands 6-foot-5 with an 83-inch reach.

Marcus Buchecha (5-2) makes his second walk to the UFC octagon following a debut loss to Martin Buday. The multiple-time world Jiu Jitsu champion got a rude awakening to the world’s biggest fight promotion, but he’s certain to return improved and prepared for his first win. Buchecha stands 6-foot-2 with a 77.5-inch reach.

Listed here are the UFC Vegas 112 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings. 

UFC Vegas 112 Odds: Kennedy Nzechukwu-Marcus Buchecha Odds

Kennedy Nzechukwu: -130

Marcus Buchecha: +110

Over 1.5 rounds: -125

Under 1.5 rounds: -105

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Why Kennedy Nzechukwu Will Win

• Last Fight: (L) Valter Walker – SUB (heel hook, R1)
• Last 5: 2-3
• Finishes: 10 KO/TKO, 1 SUB

After posting back-to-back knockouts in the primary round over Chris Barnett and Lukasz Brzeski, Kennedy Nzechukwu fell into an unlucky trap with the signature heel hook of Valter Walker. It was a way Walker had been training for quite a while and Nzechukwu put his leg within the incorrect place when attempting to scramble along with his opponent. He’ll be coping with one other lethal submission artist on this one, so Nzechukwu’s grappling defense might be foremost on his areas of focus ahead of this fight.

When it comes to the striking, there aren’t many heavyweights than can match the peak and reach of Nzechukwu, nevertheless stand with him and defend his rangy strikes. Nzechukwu can also be extremely lively along with his kicks to all three levels, so expect them to be a standard theme against an inexperienced kickboxer like Buchecha.

Nzechukwu’s 80% takedown defense could have to serve him well during this fight and if he finds himself within the clinch while defending shots, he should look to land knees up the center and damage Buchecha’s body. We have seen his opponent struggle with cardio prior to now, so softening the midsection would work wonders in opening up other areas for Nzechukwu to take advantage of.

Why Marcus Buchecha Will Win

• Last Fight: (L) Martin Buday – U DEC
• Last 5: 3-2
• Finishes: 1 KO/TKO, 14 SUB

Marcus Buchecha can have been in over his head attempting to grapple with a behemoth like Martin Buday during his last fight, quickly learning that there are several levels of separation between the competition at ONE and the fighters within the UFC. While Buchecha is arguably among the finest grapplers to ever live, he’ll must transition those skills into an MMA setting more effectively, and that begins with improving his striking.

Marcus Buchecha might want to tighten hi striking combos and turn into more fluid along with his lateral movement if he desires to have a likelihood during this fight. He’ll need to make use of the specter of the extent likelihood to drop his opponent’s hands. From there, Buchecha could have to be much quicker along with his hand speed while also slipping out of Nzechukwu’s long range.

All in all, if Buchecha can hold his own on the feet and someway force this fight to the bottom, he should give you the chance to out-muscle his opponent and eventually find submission opportunities on the bottom. Otherwise, he’ll need to defend himself effectively if Nzechukwu finally ends up reversing the position.

Final Kennedy Nzechukwu-Marcus Buchecha Prediction & Pick

This fight is amazingly interesting from a stylistic perspective, Nzechukwu the way more expert kickboxer up against Marcus Buchecha and his world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. If Nzechukwu can keep this fight on the feet, it’ll be his bout to lose as Buchecha remains to be levels below him within the striking department.

Nevertheless, this fight will turn into rather more interesting if Buchecha is in a position to force Nzechukwu right into a compromised spot on the bottom. Martin Buday was too big for him to maneuver in the course of the last fight, but Nzechukwu’s frame might be rather more conducive to success on the bottom.

For our final prediction, we’ll need to roll with Kennedy Nzechukwu to get the job done along with his superior striking. He’s strong enough defensively to remain out of bad spots on the bottom and I believe Buchecha will eat a ton of unpolluted strikes in attempting to bring Nzechukwu to the bottom.

Final Kennedy Nzechukwu-Marcus Buchecha Prediction & Pick: Kennedy Nzechukwu (-130); OVER 1.5 Rounds (-125)