Preview: UFC Vegas 105 ‘Emmett vs. Murphy’

Heavyweights

Kennedy Nzechukwu (14-5, 8-5 UFC) vs. Martin Buday (14-2, 5-1 UFC)

ODDS: Nzechukwu (-325), Buday (+260)

After a generally successful if frustrating light heavyweight career, Nzechukwu’s move up to heavyweight has gone well thus far. Nzechukwu certainly has the requisite size for his new division, as he was a gigantic light heavyweight at 6-foot-5, but it remains to be seen if he has the necessary level of durability and grit to survive as a heavyweight, which this fight should help sort out. Nzechukwu was a particularly raw prospect ahead of his UFC debut in 2018, and his development came with the expected level of fits and starts. Nzechukwu could usually outlast his opponents through durability and talent, outside of a few fights where he got sparked in surprisingly quick fashion. A loss to Ovince St. Preux a little over a year ago was a sudden worrying sign, as Nzechukwu never put his foot on the gas in a clearly winnable fight. He seems to be rejuvenated in his new division, as he has made short work of Chris Barnett and Lukasz Brzeski. Now comes a big test against Buday, a much more classic type of durable and rugged heavyweight.

Buday is far from the most exciting fighter, particularly after his last performance against Andrei Arlovski, but he’s able to do heavyweight things, eating damage while marching forward and looking to smother his opponent with his size. It could drown Nzechukwu in the long haul, but at the very least, the “American Savage” should be able to land enough damage ahead of time to win this on the scorecards. He has also shown some tricky things in the clinch, and the call is that he can find something in this outing. The pick is Nzechukwu via first-round submission.

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Emmett vs. Murphy
Brito vs. Sabatini
Lee vs. Romious
Nzechukwu vs. Buday
Tavares vs. Meerschaert
Finney vs. Valentin
The Prelims