Chidi Njokuani has carved out a promising start in the UFC’s welterweight division, securing two wins since making the cut down from middleweight. However, he stumbled at the scale during the weigh-in for his UFC Vegas 104 matchup against Elizeu Zaleski, set to take place this Saturday at the UFC APEX. Zaleski, known as “Capoeira,” anticipated this issue and views it as a strategic edge, believing Njokuani’s struggle to make weight could play to his advantage.
“I figured he’d have trouble hitting 170 pounds, which gives me a leg up,” Zaleski shared with MMA Fighting before news of Njokuani’s weigh-in miss broke. “It seems like he already had difficulty shedding pounds at middleweight, and now he’s pushing even harder to cut down for welterweight. Adapting to a new weight class doesn’t happen overnight.”
Previously, Njokuani missed weight while competing as a middleweight, tipping the scales nearly five pounds over for his 2019 bout against former Bellator champ Rafael Carvalho. He managed to stay on target for the following seven fights until he transitioned to welterweight, where he successfully made weight for victories over Rhys McKee and Jared Gooden. Unfortunately, this time around, he came in 1.25 pounds over the limit.
“Switching from middleweight to welterweight is a whole new ball game,” explained Zaleski, who boasts a knockout victory over Sean Strickland at 170 pounds. “Middleweight fighters tend to be slower and bulkier, whereas welterweight demands more speed and strength. Adapting is crucial to avoid gassing out. I’m feeling confident in my standing within this division, so let’s see how he handles it.”
Zaleski’s most recent outing saw him swiftly defeat Zach Scroggin with a knockout in just 75 seconds, a triumphant return following a majority draw against Rinat Fakhretdinov and a decision loss to Randy Brown. Before those setbacks, “Capoeira” had put together two consecutive victories, including a dominant performance over Benoit Saint Denis, and he’s eager for another finish in Las Vegas.
“I’m always thrilled to fight, and this time’s no different,” Zaleski remarked. “I’m approaching this fight with more smarts and technicality. Njokuani is a seasoned fighter who’s been successful in top promotions, riding a winning streak in the UFC. He’s skilled and it’ll be an honor to face him. I’ve spotted a few openings in his stand-up game, and we just might witness a knockout.”
