Chidi Njokuani secured a devastating second-round knockout victory over Brazilian Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The win marks Njokuani’s third consecutive UFC triumph as the Texas-born mixed martial artist of Nigerian descent pushes toward breaking into the welterweight division’s top 15 rankings.
Despite missing weight by 1.25 pounds, Njokuani came out aggressive from the opening bell, landing 46 of his 87 attempted strikes, while Zaleski dos Santos connected on just 17 of 49. The 35-year-old didn’t leave the fight in the hands of the judges, ending it in the second round with a vicious high-knee knockout.
After landing the knee, Njokuani followed up with ground strikes before the referee stepped in to save the Brazilian from further damage.
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Reflecting on the victory, Njokuani expressed his excitement but admitted the knockout was unexpected, as he had prepared for a grueling three-round battle.
“I’m real happy,” Njokuani said in his post-fight interview. “I was coming in here expecting a three-round war. I don’t know what the hell I hit him with, but it ended up finishing the fight early.”
Now, with momentum on his side, Njokuani is calling for tougher challenges and a shot at a ranked opponent. “I need a top-15 opponent,” he declared. “Give me somebody. Anybody can get it.”
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