UFC on ESPN 73: Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcus Buchecha Prediction for Saturday, 12/13/25

The second fight on the Main Card at UFC on ESPN 73 will see Kennedy Nzechukwu take on Marcus Buchecha. This will be a fight in the UFC Heavyweight division. Nzechukwu enters this fight with an MMA record of 14-6 and 10-6 in the UFC. He is averaging 5.33 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 46%. Nzechukwu absorbs 4.89 strikes and has a striking defense of 51%. His grappling is decent at best, averaging 0.55 takedowns every 15 minutes. He has a takedown accuracy of 45% and a takedown defense of 80%.

Buchecha enters this fight with an MMA record of 5-2 and 0-1 in the UFC. He is averaging 1.60 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 40%. Buchecha absorbs 2.73 strikes and has a striking defense of 52%. His grappling is solid, averaging 1.00 takedowns every 15 minutes. However, he has a takedown accuracy of 9%.

Nzechukwu is the slim favorite in this fight, but still looks to be the best betting option. For once, he is a much more experienced UFC fighter, while Buchecha has just 1 UFC fight. Further, Nzechukwu has a significant advantage in striking volume. Therefore, even though Nzechukwu has not been in the best form, backing him to win will be our play.