Heavyweight Chris Barnett finally made his return to action at UFC 308, taking on former light heavyweight talent Kennedy Nzechukwu at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Barnett, who in decent years has dealt with injury and the tragic death of his wife, was supposed to compete earlier this month against Waldo Cortes-Acosta, but was forced out of the fight as hurricane Milton battered Tampa, where Barnett resides.
The height difference between the towering Nzechukwu and relatively squat Barnett was apparent early. Barnett looked to set up a spinning attack in the early going, and launched overhand rights when Nzechukwu looked to move inside. Barnett just fanned on a spinning kick upstairs two minutes in, drawing a gasp from the crowd.
Nzechukwu, fighting a more traditional style, targeted the body, but he mixed things up by missing a head kick of his own. More effective were kicks to the body, with Nzechukwu softening up Barnett throughout round one. Barnett also appeared to be favoring one leg, potentially the same Achilles injury he’d suffered during his time off. Sensing Barnett was under the weather, Nzechukwu unloaded as Barnett covered up. He tried to swing back, couldn’t, and practically toppled over as his leg appeared to go out, clutching the limb.
With the win, Kennedy Nzechukwu snaps his two-fight skid and improves to 7-5 inside the octagon. Replays, meanwhile, showed Barnett favoring the leg right off the fighter introductions, after he jumped as Bruce Buffer called out his name.
Official Result: Kennedy Nzechuku def. Chris Barnett by TKO, Round 1, 4:27