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We have the heavyweights next up on the prelims as Kennedy Nzechukwu jumps up a division to face returning veteran Chris Barnett at UFC 308
KENNEDY NZECHUKWU VS CHRIS BARNETT FACTS
When is UFC 308? UK – the preliminary card starts at 3:00pm on Saturday October 26th, 2024, followed by the main card at 7:00pm / USA – 10:00am/2:00pm ET and 7:00am/11:00am PT
Where is UFC 308? Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Where can I get tickets for UFC 308? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 308
What TV channel is UFC 308 on? UK – TNT Sports Box Office / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC 308? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
For viewers in the United States, UFC 308 will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
What time are Kennedy Nzechukwu and Chris Barnett expected to walk out? 4.40pm UK / 11.40am US ET / 8.40am US PT / 6.40pm local
UFC 308 MAIN CARD EVENT
Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway (Featherweight)
Robert Whittaker vs Khamzat Chimaev (Middleweight)
Lerone Murphy vs Dan Ige (Featherweight)
Magomed Ankalaev vs Aleksandar Rakic (Light Heavyweight)
Sharabutdin Magomedov vs Armen Petrosyan (Middleweight)
UFC 308 Prelims
Geoff Neal vs Rafael dos Anjos (Welterweight)
Mateusz Rebecki vs Myktybek Orolbai (Lightweight)
Said Nurmagomedov vs Daniel Santos (Bantamweight)
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Chris Barnett (Heavyweight)
Rinat Fakhretdinov vs Carlos Leal (Welterweight)
Abusupiyan Magomedov vs Brunno Ferreira (Middleweight)
Farid Basharat vs Victor Hugo (Bantamweight)
Ismail Naurdiev vs Bruno Silva (Middleweight)
Ibo Aslan vs Raffael Cerqueira (Light Heavyweight)
KENNEDY NZECHUKWU: NIGERIAN STEPS UP A DIVISION TO HEAVYWEIGHT
Nigeria’s Kennedy Nzechukwu (12-5) comes into this bout making the step up to heavyweight and after two consecutive losses. He lost to Dustin Jacoby via TKO and then Ovince Saint Preux by split decision in March in the light heavyweight division so he makes the jump up to heavyweight. He has previously fought in this weight class and he will be hoping the extra weight allows him to train better rather than worry about the cut and snap this two-fight skid.
CHRIS BARNETT: 38-YEAR-OLD RETURNS AFTER TWO-YEAR LAY-OFF
Chris Barnett (23-8) comes into this fight having last fought at UFC 279 back in September 2022; over two years ago. He sustained injuries during that fight and was also contending with the tragic death of his wife in the May just months earlier so it has been a challenging time of the 38-year-old. He comes off a TKO win in that fight which saw him narrowly miss the 265lbs limit but he had no issues this time around for his fifth fight in the Octagon.
KENNEDY NZECHUKWU VS CHRIS BARNETT PREDICTION
The heavyweights are up next and Chris Barnett is certainly one of the bigger folk in the division as he was one pound less than the 265lbs limit. He will have to overcome a two-year absence as he makes his return at the age of 38. He faces Nigerian Kennedy Nzechukwu who weighted in at 241lbs and makes the step up from light heavyweight.
How both fighters come into this bout and how their preparations have been could be more important than most fights given those factors.
Nzechukwu has been active despite losing his last two fights and he will look to push the pace and tire Barnett out. That will not be easy against the bigger man who has serious knockout power with 18 of his 23 wins coming via KO/TKO. It is hard to see Nzechukwu getting the stoppage so his best route to victory will likely be on the scorecards assuming he can evade but dominate the powerful and heavy Barnett.
Barnett is the big underdog coming into this one but he should not be underestimated. He will have a lot of emotion and desperation coming into this one and that could make all the difference. Of all the value picks on the card, Barnett is ours.
PREDICTION: CHRIS BARNETT TO WIN BY KO/TKO