Chidi Njokuani is set to face off against Carlos Leal at UFC Houston, taking place at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX, on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Betting odds have Njokuani at +105 while Leal is favored at -125.
Chidi “Bang Bang” Njokuani boasts a professional record of 25 wins, 11 losses, and 1 no contest. At 37 years old, he weighs in at 170 pounds and stands 6 feet 3 inches tall, presenting a significant reach advantage with 80 inches. Carlos “The Lion” Leal, at 31 years old, also weighs 170 pounds but stands shorter at 5 feet 11 inches with a reach of 74 inches. Leal carries a record of 22 wins and 7 losses.
Statistically, Njokuani lands an average of 4.72 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 62%. In contrast, Leal delivers an impressive average of 9.57 significant strikes per minute with a 50% accuracy. Njokuani absorbs fewer strikes, taking in 2.64 significant strikes per minute, whereas Leal absorbs 7.61. Defensively, Njokuani successfully defends against 57% of incoming strikes compared to Leal’s 53%.
On the grappling front, Njokuani is less proficient, with an average of just 0.50 takedowns per three rounds and a 15% success rate on takedown attempts. He does, however, have a solid defense, stopping 73% of takedown attempts against him. Leal shows more strength in grappling, successfully executing takedowns 25% of the time while defending against 90% of them. Additionally, Leal attempts 0.6 submissions per three rounds compared to Njokuani’s 0.2.
In their most recent bouts, Njokuani faced Jake Matthews, suffering a loss by rear-naked choke in round one. Despite landing 50% of his significant strikes, he found himself outperformed by Matthews, who managed to land 5 out of 9 strikes. Leal, on the other hand, faced Muslim Salikhov and also lost in round one, being caught by a head punch. In that fight, both fighters performed well in terms of accuracy, but they were unable to secure a victory.
Upcoming matches worth noting include Ode Osbourne vs. Alibi Idiris and Luis Gurule vs. Alden Coria. Each matchup brings promising talents with varying styles, enticing fans for an eventful fight night.
As excitement builds for UFC Houston, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Njokuani’s experience plays out against Leal’s aggressive striking. This matchup sets the stage for an intriguing contest, showcasing the capabilities and resilience of both fighters in the high-stakes arena of the Octagon.