Preview: UFC Fight Night 190 ‘Gane vs. Volkov’
Nzechukwu vs. Marques
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Light Heavyweights
NR | Kennedy Nzechukwu (8-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. NR | Danilo Marques (11-2, 2-0 UFC)Advertisement
Nzechukwu is an obvious talent, but he is firmly at the point where it is unclear how much is too much too soon for the “African Savage.” Nzechukwu is a gigantic and lanky light heavyweight, and his UFC debut was a familiar story. Nzechukwu was coasting to a relatively clear decision victory until he, like many others, found himself on the wrong end of a Paul Craig submission in the third round. However, Nzechukwu has been able to rebound with two wins since, even though he missed all of 2020. After a clear decision win over Darko Stosic, Nzechukwu was able to outlast Carlos Ulberg after the Kiwi burned himself out trying to score an early knockout. The durability that Nzechukwu showed in the Ulberg win was a nice new wrinkle and should help carry him going forward as he figures things out. Up next is an interesting test against Marques.
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Brazil’s Marques had a relatively sparse record heading into his September UFC debut, but he has managed to overachieve with two wins in as many visits to the Octagon. Another large-framed light heavyweight, Marques remains a relatively subpar striker but has gotten by on the back of an aggressive grappling game. He has spent most of his UFC career trying to drag either Khadis Ibragimov or Mike Rodriguez to the mat, eventually finding a second-round submission against the latter. That makes for an interesting contrast against Nzechukwu, whose main issue thus far has been his unwillingness to take his aggression up to a second gear. If nothing else, Marques should get a chance to play his game in the early going. However, the Fortis MMA rep’s combination of size and poise figure to stifle Marques’ best weapons, and the Brazilian’s questionable gas tank should allow Nzechukwu to eventually take over, even if he chooses to do so at his own pace. The pick is Nzechukwu via third-round stoppage.
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