UFC Fight Night 215: Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Ion Cutelaba Picks and Predictions

Click Here for the Latest Odds

Ion Cutelaba and Kennedy Nzechukwu face off on Saturday in a Light Heavyweight showdown at UFC Fight Night 215 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. 

Kennedy Nzechukwu comes into this fight with a 10-3 record overall but he has lost two of his last three fights. In his last fight against Karl Roberson in July of 2022 and it was in the third round that his elbows led to the knockout. He had five takedowns in the fight, and he outstruck Roberson 20-9. Nzechukwu is averaging 4.68 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 4.36 significant strikes per minute. He is averaging 0.79 takedowns every 15 minutes and he is successful on 62 percent of his takedown attempts. He also stops 81 percent of his opponents takedown attempts. 

On the other side of this matchup is Ion Cutelaba who sits with a 16-8-1 record overall but he has lost two fights in a row and five of his last six. Cutelaba’s last fight came against Johnny Walker on September 10th and it was late in the first round that he was submitted. He did have one takedown in that fight. Two fights ago against Ryan Spann he was submitted. Cutelaba is averaging 4.61 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.26 significant strikes per minute. He wants to get the fight on the ground and is averaging 4.26 takedowns every 15 minutes. He is successful on 63 percent of his takedown attempts and he stops 76 percent of his opponents takedown attempts. In this fight, he needs to be smart and not keep putting himself in bad positions. 

After getting submitted in his last two fights, Cutelaba is going to everything in his power to not get put in a bad position again. Even if Cutelaba doesn’t get submitted though, I just don’t think he’s the better fighter here. Nzechukwu looked so dominant in the last fight and he’s going to really put the pressure on Cutelaba here. Nzechukwu might not get the submission but he has the power in his hands to finish by knockout. Cutelaba is going to be worn down, and Nzechukwu will get the job done. Back Nzechukwu to win this fight by finish

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

18+ Has gambling become a problem for you? Call the National Problem Gambling Hotline.
1-800-522-4700 | ncpgambling.org

Credit Guaranteed Packages

Packages with Credit Guarantees automatically give you a credit if the package does not turn a profit—the sum of betting all individual picks. THESE ARE NOT PARLAYS UNLESS OTHERWISE CLEARLY STATED. If a credit guaranteed package does not profit, a credit for its full purchase price is automatically issued after picks are graded and verified.

For example, if you purchase a $39.95 package that doesn’t profit, you’ll get a $39.95 credit towards any future purchase(s) on our site. Credits are usually issued within hours of a game’s conclusion, so please allow a few hours for final verification.

To use your credits, log in to your account and add another package or pass to your cart. Credits will automatically reduce what you owe. Any remaining balance will be settled through our payment system, with any leftover credits available future purchases. Credits do not expire.

Dismiss