UFC Vegas 55 Picks and Predictions: Hot Prospect of the Week Chidi Njokuan (Archive)
Join us as we preview a hot UFC prospect from this week’s UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira MMA event.
Read on for our complete UFC Vegas 55 betting guide – taking the first look at our hottest prospect of the week, Chidi Njokuani, and his opponent, Dusko Todorovic.
Including updated UFC odds and our free expert UFC picks.
Chidi Njokuani vs. Dusko Todorovic
UFC Middleweight Bout
Saturday, May 21, 2022 – 09:05 PM EDT at UFC Apex
Chidi Njokuani (21-7-0)
Chidi Njokuani didn't take the simplest of paths to reach the most elite MMA promotion on the planet, but the 33-year-old has finally reached the pinnacle of mixed martial arts.
Behind a wealth of experience, he's already made an impact upon his arrival.
I'll be the first to put my hands up; I was expecting the talented and intelligent Marc-Andre Barriault to send Chidi straight back into the loser's column back in February of this year.
But in typical Njokuani fashion, the kickboxing background shone through as he finished the Canadian inside round one.
Chidi Njokuani Fighter Analysis
Aged 33, hailing from Dallas, Texas, Chidi isn't like most Dana White Contender Series alumni where he's short on elite-level knowledge of the game or fighting experience; the Saekson Janjira Muay Thai student has fought under the banner of countless MMA promotions since turning pro in 2007.
Muay Thai and kickboxing have been Chidi's bread and butter, following in the footsteps of his older brother Anthony Njokuani – who notably fought for the UFC, WEC, and other organizations – I believe the UFC has received Chidi during the fighting prime of his career.
UFC Vegas 55: Njokuani Fight Analysis
With a decorated background in Muay Thai and kickboxing, it should be no surprise that Chidi is primarily a striker.
During his professional MMA career, the notable losses have mainly come against grappling-based fighters.
Still, we should also note these losses have usually held no shame in the level of competition.
As Chidi proved in his UFC debut, he owns the:
- power
- technique
- accuracy
- precise striking style to finish a fight within its time to blink
He isn't the type of striker to throw single shots; it will always be combinations.
He doesn't neglect the kicking game, and I notice he does a great job of baiting out his opponent's defenses, ultimately leaving them open for counter shots.
To add, he's handy at being the aggressor or striking on the backfoot, although I'd rather see him as the pressure fighter where I've witnessed his best work.
UFC Vegas 55: Njokuani vs. Todorovic Betting Pick and Odds
Dusko Todorovic (11-2-0) entered the UFC with a high level of hype behind his name; unfortunately, he hasn't quite lived up to those expectations.
Wrestling would be the ideal game plan for the Serbian to walk out the victor, but that's easier said than done when faced with a veteran opponent.
Sportsbooks opened Torres as a -190 favorite, and his betting odds have fluctuated passed the two-hundred marker.
I'm not the only one who notices the skill difference here as the betting line moves in the direction I expect it to, and if we were comparing skill levels to dictate a winner, there's no other choice than Chidi Njokuani.
UFC Pick: Chidi Njokuani to win (-220) [2.20u returns 1u] with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
UFC Vegas 55 Main Card
- Holly Holm vs. Ketlen Vieira [UFC Women's Bantamweight Main Event Bout]
- Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Michel Pereira [UFC Welterweight Co-main Event Bout]
- Chidi Njokuani vs. Dusko Todorovic [UFC Middleweight Bout]
- Eryk Anders vs. Jun Yong Park [UFC Middleweight Bout]
- Polyana Viana vs. Tabatha Ricci [UFC Women's Strawweight Bout]