The size of Kennedy Nzechukwu proved to be too much for Chris Barnett to handle at UFC 308. But so did his own weight! The 38-year-old lively sensation was loosening and hyping up (…a bit too much). He did an awkward lift-off jump and hurt his leg in the process!
Chris Barnett and Kennedy Nzechukwu locked horns on the UFC 308 pay-per-view prelim card. In the blue corner, Barnett took to the air a bit too high when veteran voice Bruce Buffer was about to announce the opponent. He tweaked his leg and stumbled back towards the cage. Seemingly, 145-pound stalwart Brian Ortega is rubbing off on the roster very well.
The Nigerian star came early, pressuring Barnett through a ginormous height difference. The latter though, more akin to Derrick Lewis and his sort of lively antics, didn’t give up. Despite a rocky leg and heavy frame, the Team Hardcore Gym MMA Orthodox almost landed a spinning wheel kick. There’s just too much fuel on the guy and quite the mileage. Kennedy Nzechukwu just had a better showing at UFC 308.
how bout we just stop doing this before fights #UFC308 pic.twitter.com/boAMux5FXU
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) October 26, 2024
In his return to 265, Nzechukwu was able to overwhelm Barnett with a ‘heavyweight’ knee to the body. “Beast Boy” went down at the 4:27 mark of R1 with a humongous right swing after. It was quite a performance for the fighter. However, the going notion is that Barnett had wobbly legs due to his antics from the get-go. More than the win, the silly-nilly jump by the Spanish fighter is what takes the cake here.
After the ‘Heavy’ dust settles: What’s next after UFC 308
Chris Barnett’s fight at UFC 308 pay-per-view (PPV) was a rough night at the office. The amiable ‘heavy-fave’ heavyweight returned after a two-year absence. But, he received a rude welcome when Kennedy Nzechukwu came out swinging to stop him in the opening round. The torn hamstring he suffered in defeat after his leg gave out during the fight may be a more significant concern for Barnett. It is not the first risky stint he has done as well.
MMA columnist Kevin Iole (X/@KevinIole) first brought it to attention on X. During the telecast (ESPN+ pay-per-view), the commentary team tried to dissect when Barnett may have suffered the injury. He seemed to have injured his leg after he jumped into the air and landed awkwardly during his introduction to the Octagon. The replays showed Barnett landing awkwardly, gingerly, and at a very bad angle.
Feet and shin injuries are a delicate area in UFC lore that has stalled big dreams. “Beast Boy” received assistance from his coaches and ringside officials as he limped back to the dressing room from the cage. The severity and potential recovery time won’t be known until Barnett undergoes further tests. If so, he could receive a minimum of 60 days of mandatory clinical suspension after UFC 308
Barnett (23-9 MMA, 2-3 UFC) isn’t without his mettle and has earned all 18 of his career stoppage wins via KO. Barnett is one of 14 fighters in UFC history to score a wheel kick knockout. He is alongside heavyweight legend Junior Dos Santos in that category. The fighter will look to rebound as soon as possible if the injury is not that bad.
