DALLAS – Kennedy Nzechukwu won’t rush his journey toward UFC gold.
Nzechukwu (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) currently rides a three-fight winning streak all by finish. He will look to continue his ascent up the light heavyweight rankings when he takes on Dustin Jacoby (18-7-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 50 main card at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
The Fortis MMA fighter doesn’t plan to jump the ladder. Nzechukwu is ready to take on each challenge as it comes without demands.
“I’m taking it slowly, step at a time,” Nzechukwu told MMA Junkie. “Not trying to get greedy like other fighters and kind of call out fighters above me. If you’re not ready for that level, you got to wait, groom yourself as God is grooming me. I take each opponent as it comes and not try to rush it. Eventually I’m going to get there, and I will be blessed.”
Nzechukwu takes on seasoned striker Jacoby, who’s in a slightly different career trajectory as he aims to snap a two-fight losing skid. Nonetheless, Nzechukwu knows he has a dangerous challenge ahead of him.
“Dustin Jacoby, very good striker,” Nzechukwu said. “He’s fought in K-1 I believe, so has a lot of fights under his belt. He’s a very good striker. We have oriented our game plan around it and know what we can employ, and how we can capitalize on his weaknesses. He’s a tough guy, tough opponent, but victory shall be mine on Saturday.”
It’s not the first time Nzechukwu takes on an accomplished striker. The 31-year-old fighter scored a memorable knockout of Carlos Ulberg at UFC 259, and relishes the opportunity to stand toe-to-toe with another skilled striker like Jacoby.
“That’s a great challenge, another accolade I can have under my belt. I’ve fought wrestlers, I previously fought a striker, but it’s good to be well-balanced. So, it’s great to fight another striker that has a lot of experience and get that under my belt.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 50.
