MMA Preview – Chidi Njokuani vs Rhys McKee at UFC ESPN 54
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CHIDI NJOKUANI VS RHYS MCKEE FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 54? Sunday 31st March, 2024 - 00:00 (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 54? Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 54? Click here to buy tickets for UFC on ESPN
What channel is UFC on ESPN 54 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 54? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
CHIDI NJOKUANI VS RHYS MCKEE LOWDOWN
When Chidi Njokuani (22-10(1)) followed up his knockout over Mario Souza (2021) on the Contender Series by smoking Marc-Andre Barriault (2022) and Dusko Todorovic (2022) in the first round, many people were scratching their heads as to why he was not in the UFC sooner. However, he is now on a three-fight skid after getting knocked out by Gregory Rodrigues (2022) and Michal Oleksiejczuk (2023) sandwiching a split decision loss to Albert Duraev (2023).
People were asking the same questions about Rhys McKee (13-5-1) before he made his debut having finished all 10 of his wins. However, he was fed to Khamzat Chimaev (2020) who swallowed him whole and then he lost a unanimous decision to Alex Morono (2020).He responded to that harsh introduction by reeling off three routine knockouts under the Cage Warriors banner to get recalled. He then met Ange Loosa (2023) and lost a unanimous decision leaving him still searching for that UFC dub.
CHIDI NJOKUANI VS RHYS MCKEE PREDICTION
McKee will be buzzing that he has been paired with another striker. Unfortunately for him, he is up against another beast and will not be boosting his usual height and reach advantage. He will actually be giving up a couple inches in reach and one in height.
He will still go about business as usual by fighting long and striking from range. He will try and remain illusive and pile up the volume. However, Njokuani can negate the reach with his counters, and we feel his power and speed will be too much for the Irishman.
If McKee starts to land, we may even see Njokuani clinch up knowing he can take McKee down easily. We should see a better version of McKee here, but Njokuani is better everywhere, and it is hard to see him losing despite the form.
Prediction: Njokuani via KO/TKO
