Chidi Njokuani explains coach loss after UFC 330 win over Alvarez

Chidi Njokuani overcame a difficult preparation to defeat Joel Alvarez by unanimous decision at UFC 330. The victory came after the welterweight lost his Muay Thai coach, Saxonn Janjira, and faced confusion over his weight before the bout.

Njokuani had initially been scheduled to meet Geoff Neal, but Neal withdrew several weeks before the event. Alvarez became the replacement, leaving Njokuani with little time to prepare for a new opponent. He said he did not study footage of Alvarez and instead relied on the instructions from his coaches and the plan they developed together.

The emotional strain was greater than the change in opponent. Njokuani said Janjira’s recent loss occupied his thoughts throughout camp, leaving him close to withdrawing from the fight. He continued because he felt his former coach would have insisted that he compete. Njokuani then entered the bout intending to trust his corner and react once the contest began.

His record now stands at 26-12 with one no contest. He also revealed that the difficult build-up continued at Friday’s weigh-in. Njokuani first made the limit on a digital scale backstage while wearing shorts, but he was then shown as one pound over on the official scale.

The fighter refused to cut more weight and questioned the commission officials about the discrepancy. He was sent through the process again after the scale was adjusted, and the second official attempt recorded him at the required weight. Njokuani said he did not lose any additional weight between the two readings.

Njokuani plans to take time to grieve before considering his next bout. A renewed meeting with Neal appeals to him because he views that matchup as a possible route towards the UFC’s top 15. He also said Alvarez was an opponent who could have moved into that level had he won, leaving Njokuani to wait before deciding what comes next.