Chris Barnett Steps in to Face Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi

Chris Barnett will replace Justin Tafa and square off against Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 308.

The promotion announced the new heavyweight booking during the UFC Vegas 98 broadcast on Saturday night. A reason for Tafa’s withdrawal was not given. Barnett was originally slated to fight at UFC Vegas 98 but was unable to compete due to Hurricane Milton.

UFC 308 takes place on Oct. 26 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by a featherweight championship clash between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway.

The 38-year-old Barnett will be making his first Octagon appearance since September 2022 after having multiple bouts fall through over the course of the past two years. In his last outing, “Huggy Bear” scored a second-round TKO victory against Jake Collier at UFC 279. Barnett is 2-2 during his UFC tenure overall.

After competing 11 times at 205 pounds in the Las Vegas-based promotion, Nzechukwu will move to heavyweight for the first time. The Fortis MMA product is coming off back-to-back losses against Ovince St. Preux and Dustin Jacoby.