Kennedy Nzechukwu and Marcus Buchecha Fight to a Draw

Kennedy Nzechukwu and Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida delivered one of the wildest heavyweight fights of UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Kape, going the full fifteen minutes in a bout defined by momentum swings, fouls, scrambles, and near‑finishes. When the dust settled, the judges scored it 28–28, resulting in a unanimous draw that left both men battered, exhausted, and frustrated.

Tapology’s official bout record confirms the fight “ends in a Draw, Unanimous… 3 Rounds, 15:00 Total,” with both fighters moving to 14‑6‑1 (Nzechukwu) and 5‑2‑1 (Buchecha) respectively. LowKick MMA reported that the draw was heavily influenced by a point deduction against Nzechukwu following an accidental eye poke in Round 2.

Round 1: Buchecha’s Grappling Meets Nzechukwu’s Power

Buchecha wasted no time diving into his world, shooting for a single‑leg takedown within seconds. He dragged Nzechukwu to the mat and immediately hunted for a kneebar, forcing the Nigerian striker to scramble desperately to escape.

Once back on the feet, Nzechukwu landed a clean right hand that dropped Buchecha, flipping the momentum instantly. But the round ended with controversy — Nzechukwu landed a knee to Buchecha’s protective gear, prompting a brief pause and recovery period.

Round 2: A Point Deduction Changes Everything

Just seconds into Round 2, Nzechukwu accidentally poked Buchecha in the eye, leading to a lengthy stoppage. Referee Herb Dean deducted a point, a decision that would ultimately shape the final scorecard.

After the restart, Buchecha surged. He secured a takedown, moved to full mount, and rained down heavy elbows. He even threatened an armbar in the closing seconds, but Nzechukwu survived the onslaught and made it to Round 3.

Round 3: A Wild Finish With Both Men Emptying the Tank

Buchecha opened the final round looking for another takedown, but fatigue began to show. Nzechukwu reversed position, took Buchecha’s back, and unloaded punches as the final seconds ticked away.

LowKick MMA described the final sequence as Nzechukwu “laying into him with a flurry of strikes” as Buchecha clung to survival.

When the horn sounded, both fighters raised their hands — and both looked unsure.

The Scorecards: 28–28 Across the Board

All three judges scored the fight 28–28, making it a unanimous draw. Without the point deduction, Nzechukwu likely would have walked away with a decision win.

Tapology’s official record confirms the unanimous draw ruling and the final 28–28 scores.

What’s Next for Both Fighters?