Prior to every UFC battle card, Jay Primetown of MMA Oddsbreaker takes a look at a few of the key competitions at each function. In the latest installment, we look at the primary event of UFC 220 since Stipe Miocic defends his heavyweight championship against Francis Ngannou. That is Francis Ngannou’s initial major event and first time fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship, despite this, he’s nevertheless the betting favorite.
Stipe Miocic (Record: 17-2, +165 Underdog, Power Ranking: A+)
The 35-year-old lifetime Ohio native was on a tear, winning his last five fights as a decision loss to Junior dos Santos in 2014. He enters Saturday’s title fight on the back of a knockout victory over dos Santos in their rematch in May 2017. In case Miocic beats dos Santos, he’ll break the record for consecutive title defenses at heavyweight using three.
Miocic is among the most well-rounded athletes at the division. Besides wrestling, he played baseball in school, even drawing interest from some Major League Baseball teams. In reference to MMA, he’s got an amateur boxing background competing in the Golden Gloves competition. Miocic is a good striker having strong hands and works an extremely large pace for a heavyweight landing a whopping 5.15 significant strikes a minute. In contrast, he is only absorbing 3.30 significant strikes per minute with 61 percent striking defense.
Miocic combines his striking with wrestling scoring over two takedowns each 15 minutes inside the octagon. Miocic is not the division’s hardest puncher, but he moves very well and has proven an ability to avoid taking much damage. Miocic has a solid motor complete and may even work a decent speed late in fights. On the side, competitions can hurt him. He had been stunned by Overeem just a couple bouts ago, so that’s something to watch for moving forward.
Francis Ngannou (Record: 11-1, -175 Favorite, Power Ranking: A+)
On a six battle winning streak to start his UFC career, Francis Ngannou has rapidly risen to be a true threat to Stipe Miocic’s crown. He’s completed all six of his UFC opponents with his last four victories all coming over the opening two minutes of those bouts.
The Cameroon born heavyweight began training in boxing in his native Cameroon before moving to France at the age of 22. He had been homeless for a time period, residing in the streets of Paris as he picked up odd jobs here and there before he joined up in MMA Factory and developed to a fighter. He never turned back and began fighting in 2013.
The 6’4″ heavyweight has among the longest reaches in MMA in 83″ inches. His output is small for a stride in 3.41 significant strikes every second. He has substantial power in his hands (seven career knockouts), but he’s not a fighter that looks to brawl. He is fairly patient time his chances. He’ll go for it when he senses a finish.
From an athletic standpoint, he is about as good as there is in the UFC. He is muscular, exceptionally strong, and nimble. He’s a fighter that could do things that other fighters cannot do inside the Octagon. The majority of his finishes have come early in fights; Ngannou has not yet been pushed yet so it is a complete unknown what sort of pace he would struggle at if pressed into the championship rounds. His takedown defense is decent, but it’s not elite so he could be taken down to the mat by wrestling concentrated fighters.
His brow has been tested. His striking defense is excellent absorbing just 1.46 significant strikes per minute with 60percent defense that is striking. He was staggered by Curtis Blaydes in his second UFC fight, but recovered fast and ended up winning by doctor stoppage. That is the only time. That was a rare moment of weakness or even a fluke. Until he’s analyzed again, it is going to be hard to tell how he deals with adversity.
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