NEWARK, N.J. – Kennedy Nzechukwu beat Devin Clark with a second-round submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 288 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Take a look inside the fight with Nzechukwu, who picked up the first submission win of his career.
Devin Clark vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
Result: Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Devin Clark via technical submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 2:28
Updated records: Nzechukwu (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), Clark (14-8 MMA, 8-8 UFC)
Key stats: Nzechukwu landed nearly 80 percent of his total strike attempts in the fight.
Nzechukwu on the fight's key moment
“It was crazy. We knew it was going to be there because he likes to go for a singles, and if he were to go for a single, I know he wasn’t going to fully commit. Even if he did, he’s worried about the gas tank being diminished. So I know once he settles for a second, I always get that choke in practice. I know once he settles, I’m able to capitalize on that choke.”
Nzechukwu on his coach's influence
“To be honest, I could be very biased in what I’m able to do, but my coach has always been there. He’s the one that picked me up from the jump. I had no experience, no type of talent. I had the cardio and had the discipline, but he’s been there. … There’s so much I absorbed from him as far as the mindset and the mental. Sometimes, I never understood why he says the thing he says, but … the more I tend to reel into what he’s saying, the more it makes sense and the more I able to transfer that into the fight. … If I’m able to carry his mind to my physical attributes, I’m able to destroy.”
Nzechukwu on what he wants next
“I’m just patient. I’m ready for whatever my coach thinks. He’s my manager. He’s my coach. He’s everything. He sees stuff I can’t see. He is on the outside looking in, and once he sees things and he’s able to talk with the matchmakers, we’ll go from there.”
To hear more from Nzechukwu, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 288.
