On Saturday, March 15, 2025, UFC Fight Night 254 will feature a compelling welterweight co-main event between Chidi “Bang Bang” Njokuani and Elizeu “Capoeira” Zaleski dos Santos. Both fighters are known for their striking prowess, promising an electrifying matchup that has garnered significant attention from fans and bettors alike. Here, we take a closer look at Chidi Njokuani vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos and give you our best bet for this welterweight matchup.
Chidi Njokuani vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Preview
Chidi Njokuani (24-10-0) has established himself as a formidable striker in the UFC’s welterweight division. Averaging 4.59 significant strikes per minute with a striking accuracy of 63%, Njokuani’s offensive capabilities are noteworthy. Defensively, he absorbs 2.67 strikes per minute and boasts a striking defense rate of 56%. While his grappling has been limited, he maintains a respectable takedown defense at 74%.
Njokuani’s recent performances highlight his striking skills. After a first-round TKO loss to Michał Oleksiejczuk in August 2023, he rebounded with a split decision win over Rhys McKee in March 2024 and a unanimous decision victory against Jared Gooden in October 2024. These bouts showcased his resilience and ability to adapt against diverse opponents.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (25-8-1) is renowned for his dynamic striking and versatile fighting style. He averages 4.33 significant strikes per minute with a 41% accuracy rate. Defensively, he absorbs 3.41 strikes per minute and matches Njokuani’s 56% striking defense. Zaleski dos Santos also integrates grappling into his approach, averaging 0.70 takedowns per 15 minutes, though his takedown accuracy stands at 20% with a defense rate of 68%.
In his recent outings, Zaleski dos Santos secured a split decision win over Abubakar Nurmagomedov in June 2023, followed by a majority draw against Rinat Fakhretdinov in November 2023. After losing to Randy Brown, he concluded 2024 with a first-round TKO victory over newcomer Zach Scroggin in November, reaffirming his position as a dangerous striker.
Betting Insights
As of March 12, 2025, the betting landscape reflects a closely contested bout. Zaleski dos Santos is favored at Sportzino with odds of -209. Njokuani, as the underdog, has odds of +166. These odds suggest that while Zaleski dos Santos is the favorite, the fight is anticipated to be competitive. For bettors considering prop bets, the odds for the fight to go the distance are at +120.
Chidi Njokuani vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Prediction
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (-209) over Chidi Njokuani
220K Gold Coins & 10 FREE Sweeps Coins
- dos Santos has more paths to victory here as he is more proficient at getting opponents to the ground, while being a comparable striker.
- We expect the Brazilian to test the takedown defense of his opponent in this fight.
This matchup presents an intriguing clash between two accomplished strikers. Njokuani’s precision and efficiency in striking contrast with Zaleski dos Santos’s dynamic and unorthodox style. Njokuani’s higher striking accuracy (63%) suggests he may land cleaner shots, but Zaleski dos Santos’s varied attack and experience could offset this advantage.
Defensively, both fighters are comparable, each with a 56% striking defense. However, Zaleski dos Santos’s willingness to incorporate grappling, despite a lower takedown accuracy, adds an additional layer to his game plan that Njokuani may need to address.
Considering recent performances, Zaleski dos Santos’s decisive TKO victory in his last fight may provide him with momentum. Njokuani’s back-to-back decision wins demonstrate durability but also highlight his challenges in finishing opponents recently.
Given these factors, the prediction leans towards Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos securing a victory, potentially by decision. His versatility, combined with recent form and slight betting favoritism, suggests he has a marginal edge in this closely matched contest. Bettors might find value in wagering on the fight going the distance, considering both fighters’ resilience and striking defense capabilities.
