Chidi Njokuani Record: 25-12-0

Bellator years

Njokuani's profile rose during a long run in Bellator. He decisioned Ricky Rainey in 2015, stopped unbeaten prospect Andre Fialho in the first round in 2016, and outpointed veteran Melvin Guillard in 2017. The Bellator stretch wasn't without setbacks — a first-round submission loss to John Salter in 2018 underscored the grappling tests he faced — but it established him as a dangerous, experienced striker.

UFC run

Signed by the UFC after a Contender Series win, Njokuani made an explosive first impression with back-to-back first-round knockouts of Marc-André Barriault and Duško Todorović in 2022. The competition stiffened with losses to Gregory Rodrigues, Albert Duraev and Michał Oleksiejczuk, but he steadied himself with decision wins over Rhys McKee and Jared Gooden and a 2025 TKO of veteran Elizeu Zaleski. His next two outings went the other way: a first-round submission loss to Jake Matthews in 2025 and a decision loss to Carlos Leal in 2026.

Fighting style

Njokuani is a pure striker by trade, and his record bears it out: 15 of his 25 wins are knockouts, the product of a Muay Thai base, elite length and a varied arsenal of kicks, knees and elbows that has produced highlight-reel finishes throughout his career. That same length lets him control range against shorter opponents. The honest counter-read is grappling: of his 12 losses, four have come by submission, and his most recent setbacks have come when opponents have closed the distance and taken the fight to the mat — the clearest line through his defeats.

Career highlights

• Knockout specialist — 15 of his professional wins have come by KO/TKO, a hallmark of his Muay Thai striking.
• Explosive UFC debut stretch — opened his Octagon run with first-round knockouts of Marc-André Barriault and Duško Todorović in 2022.
• Multi-promotion veteran — tested himself across the regional circuit, Bellator and the UFC over more than a decade as a pro.