Prediction: Kennedy Nzechukwu via KO
Kennedy Nzechukwu should be the side in this fight, but with the current betting lines, playing props might be the smarter move. Since moving up to heavyweight, he’s been a completely different fighter, largely due to his work with a new striking coach. The results have been clear—he’s no longer just a long, athletic power striker relying on his natural gifts. Instead, he’s developed much better footwork, improved head movement, and an overall defensive awareness that allows him to make his offense even more dangerous. The heavyweight division might have a real problem on its hands with this new version of Nzechukwu.
Before this evolution, Nzechukwu was a fighter who depended on his size, speed, and power to get the job done. That approach worked for a while, but it left holes in his game, which were exposed in fights where he had to deal with someone who could stand their ground and fire back—like when he ran into OSP. That fight was a wake-up call. Now, with improved movement and defense, he’s a much more refined version of the dangerous striker he always was.
That spells trouble for Martin Buday. Buday won’t be able to match Nzechukwu in a technical striking battle—he’s far too slow, plodding, and hittable. His best chance will likely be to revert to his old clinch-heavy style and try to wear on Nzechukwu in close quarters. The problem? That won’t work either. Nzechukwu has already shown that his grappling is an underappreciated part of his game, and now that he’s filling out at heavyweight, he won’t be at a strength disadvantage. Buday won’t have the ability to control him, and once Nzechukwu gets separation, Buday will be walking into a dangerous striking exchange where he’s at a massive disadvantage.
With all that in mind, betting this fight straight up on Nzechukwu might not be the best value. Instead, looking at finish props—either KO/TKO or possibly an under round total—could be the sharper play. Nzechukwu has all the tools to pick Buday apart, break him down, and eventually put him away. Buday simply doesn’t have a path to victory outside of an unlikely grind-fest that Nzechukwu is now too well-rounded to fall victim to. Expect a statement win from Nzechukwu, further solidifying him as a real problem in this division.