Nashville, Tennessee is set to host another night of high-stakes mixed martial arts action as UFC on ESPN 70 arrives at the Bridgestone Arena on July 12, 2025. Among the bouts scheduled to electrify the crowd, a heavyweight encounter pits Kennedy Nzechukwu, known as `The American Savage,` against Brazil`s Valter Walker, `The Clean Monster.` This matchup promises a compelling clash of styles in a division where one punch can change everything.
Kennedy Nzechukwu enters the Octagon with a professional record standing at 14 wins and 5 losses. Since turning professional in 2018, Nzechukwu, fighting out of Fortis MMA, has built a reputation as a dangerous finisher, with a remarkable 10 of his victories coming by way of knockout. His recent performance, a TKO win over Lukasz Brzeski in December 2024, underscores his persistent striking threat. Standing 196 cm tall and weighing 107.5 kg, Nzechukwu possesses the physical attributes and proven power to end fights abruptly.
Across the Octagon stands Valter Walker, carrying an impressive record of 13 wins and just 1 loss. Walker, who began his professional career in 2019, has demonstrated a different path to victory compared to Nzechukwu, though he is certainly capable of a knockout with 6 KO wins on his record. His latest outing saw him secure a victory via submission over Don`Tale Mayes in February of this year, highlighting a versatile skill set beyond just striking. At 198 cm and 111.1 kg, Walker is slightly larger and notably holds the distinction of never having been defeated by knockout – a statistic that will be put to the ultimate test against Nzechukwu.
The pairing of Nzechukwu`s aggressive, KO-centric style against Walker`s seemingly more calculated approach, complete with demonstrated submission skills and a granite chin, creates a classic striker-vs-tough-grappler narrative. Nzechukwu will undoubtedly look to land his heavy hands early and often, seeking the knockout that has defined his career. Walker, on the other hand, may aim to weather the initial storm, perhaps clinch or seek takedowns to neutralize Nzechukwu`s power and potentially work towards a submission, or simply outlast the `Savage` in a test of wills.
Event and Broadcast Details
The UFC on ESPN 70 event is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025, emanating live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The main card broadcast is slated to begin at approximately 06:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). The Nzechukwu vs. Walker bout is positioned on the undercard, though it is a featured fight generating considerable interest.
As is standard with live combat sports events, the exact time Kennedy Nzechukwu and Valter Walker will make their walk to the Octagon is subject to change, dependent on the duration of the preceding fights on the preliminary and early main card portions of the event. Fans should anticipate the event to run for several hours and be prepared for potential schedule adjustments.
For viewers in the United States, the official broadcasting platform for UFC on ESPN 70, including the Nzechukwu vs. Walker fight, is ESPN+.
Looking Ahead
While the main event features a heavyweight clash between Derrick Lewis and Tallison Teixeira, the Nzechukwu vs. Walker fight serves as a crucial battle for both men. A victory for either fighter would significantly boost their standing in the highly competitive heavyweight division and move them closer to challenging the top contenders. This stylistic clash, featuring a knockout artist against a durable, versatile opponent, is precisely the kind of matchup that can steal the show.
