Michael Lurato picked Kennedy Nzechukwu but warned bettors to monitor the Nigerian’s notorious slow-start habit before tying him to parlays. Lurato said Nzechukwu often looks ‘like the big kid who still gets bullied on the playground’—he paws tentatively until his corner fires him up between rounds, then flips the switch. That passivity could let grappling-minded underdog Walter Walker bank top-control minutes in the big cage if Kennedy fails to plant his feet and own center early. Lurato believes Nzechukwu’s length, southpaw straight left, and takedown defense should carry the day provided he fights with a chip from the opening horn. Because that mentality question is ‘all on Kennedy,’ Lurato is passing on heavy chalk but will consider a live bet if Nzechukwu shows immediate forward pressure.

MMA Guru predicted Kennedy Nzechukwu will stop Valter Walker in round two or three. He pointed to Nzechukwu stuffing 15 of 16 Paul Craig takedowns earlier in his career, demonstrating an ability to neutralize the same heel-hook entries Walker relies on. Walker, who looked lost standing versus Lukasz Brzeski, has been leaning on quick leg-locks, but Guru doubts those will land against the rangier, better-conditioned Nzechukwu. After a few early sprawls, Guru expects Walker to gas and get pieced up on the feet, making Nzechukwu inside-the-distance or round-2/3 props appealing.

Bedtime MMA predicted Kennedy Nzechukwu stops Walt Harris (referred to as "Volta the blob Walker") inside two rounds. He likes Nzechukwu’s southpaw length, mobility, and ability to work at kicking range, especially the front-kick and knee to the body that have served him before. Because Harris relies on pushing opponents to the fence for chain-wrestling, Bedtime expects Nzechukwu to keep the fight in space, punish level-changes with body strikes, and possibly snatch a standing guillotine/ninja choke like the one he hit on Devin Clark. The only concern is Nzechukwu’s lead-leg stance inviting single-legs, but overall the tout thinks long-range striking and clinch-counter submissions lead to an early finish.