UFC 254: Chidi Njokuani shines with dominating victory over Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
The UFC Apex in Las Vegas hosted an exhilarating co-main event at UFC Fight Night 254, as welterweight veterans Chidi Njokuani and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos squared off in a duel of striking prowess, tenacity, and a decisive finish. Njokuani, fresh off two consecutive victories, took on the experienced dos Santos, a Brazilian fighter noted for his explosive striking and grappling abilities. Njokuani delivered a statement performance, winning by second-round TKO and confirming his revival in the UFC’s 170-pound division.
Both fighters have great credentials entering the octagon. Chidi “Bang Bang” Njokuani, a 36-year-old American with a background in Muay Thai and kickboxing, came in with a 24-10 record (4-3 in the UFC). After losing three consecutive middleweight fights in 2023, Njokuani’s return to welterweight in 2024 reenergised his career. Wins against Rhys McKee and Jared Gooden demonstrated his striking precision and ability to control the tempo of a fight, laying the groundwork for this critical battle.
Elizeu “Capoeira” Zaleski dos Santos, a 38-year-old Brazilian with a 25-8-1 record (11-4-1 in the UFC), was seeking to continue on his momentum from a lightning-fast 75-second knockout of Zach Scroggin in November 2024. Dos Santos, known for his unorthodox capoeira-inspired style and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, presented a unique challenge because to his adaptability and finishing abilities. The oddsmakers favoured dos Santos slightly at -185, with Njokuani labelled as the underdog at +155, indicating a closely contested match.
The stylistic battle promised pyrotechnics, with Njokuani’s long reach (80 inches) and skilled striking pitted against dos Santos’ explosive power and grappling ability. Fans and commentators alike expected a stand-up fight, but dos Santos’ ground game loomed as a potential deciding factor in the smaller UFC Apex octagon.
From the start, Njokuani used his height (6’3″) and reach advantage to hold dos Santos at bay. His jab and straight punches disturbed the Brazilian’s rhythm, while his leg kicks attacked dos Santos’ mobility. Dos Santos, unfazed, rushed in with his characteristic aggression, hoping to bridge the gap and unleash his tremendous combinations, or drive the fight to the ground. The opening round was close, with Njokuani maintaining the range and dos Santos hitting intermittent counters, but neither fighter acquired a clear advantage.
The tide shifted considerably during the second round. Early in the session, Njokuani caught dos Santos with a devastating knee up the centre as the Brazilian sought to close the gap in the clinch. The strike knocked dos Santos down to the canvas. Njokuani pounced, delivering a flurry of elbows and punches from the top position. The unrelenting ground-and-pound left referee Herb Dean with no choice but to intervene and end the fight at 2:19 of Round 2, granting Njokuani the TKO victory.
With this fight, Njokuani advances to 25-10 overall and 5-3 in the UFC, earning his third consecutive welterweight win. The finish was a highlight reel moment, but a weigh-in mishap—Njokuani came in at 172.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the welterweight limit—means he’ll lose 20% of his salary to dos Santos and is ineligible for a performance bonus. Nevertheless, the performance spoke loudly. In his post-fight interview, Njokuani stated that he wants to fight a top-15 opponent next, indicating that he intends to move up the rankings.
For dos Santos, the loss puts him to 25-9-1 (11-5-1 in the UFC) and comes after his recent knockout victory. The Brazilian veteran is now 1-2-1 in his previous four fights and confronts the most difficult stretch of his career. At 38, there may be doubts about his next moves, but his experience and skill set suggest he is still a strong competitor.
Njokuani’s triumph has breathed new life into his career trajectory. His combination of striking skill, physicality, and improved consistency at welterweight gives him a serious danger to the division. A rated opponent such as Geoff Neal or Sean Brady, or even a rematch with a former rival like as Gregory Rodrigues, might be on the horizon, putting his mettle to the test against the top.
A comeback bout against a mid-tier welterweight may help dos Santos recover his feet. His durability and finishing skills mean that he is far from finished, but he will need to adjust to stop the slide.
The co-main event of UFC Fight Night 254 lived up to its promise of excitement, with Chidi Njokuani emerging as the major winner. His decisive victory over Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos demonstrated his growth as a fighter and solidified his place as a welterweight to watch in 2025. As the UFC resumes its packed spring schedule, Njokuani’s name will be remembered by fans and opponents alike.
