Ahead of every UFC battle card, Jay Primetown of MMA Oddsbreaker takes a look at some of the key competitions at each event. In the most recent installment, we consider the primary event of UFC 220 since Stipe Miocic defends his heavyweight championship against Francis Ngannou. That can be Francis Ngannou’s initial major event and first time fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship, despite this, he’s still the betting favorite.
Stipe Miocic (Record: 17-2, +165 Underdog, Power Ranking: A+)
The 35-year-old lifetime Ohio native has been on a tear, winning his last five fights since a decision loss to Junior dos Santos at 2014. He enters Saturday’s title fight on the back of a knockout victory over dos Santos in their rematch in May 2017. If Miocic beats dos Santos, then he will break the record for consecutive title defenses at heavyweight with three.
Miocic is among the most athletes in the division. Besides wrestling, he played baseball in school, even drawing interest from some Major League Baseball teams. In regards to MMA, he’s got an amateur boxing history competing in the Golden Gloves competition. Miocic is a fantastic striker having strong hands and works a very high rate to get a heavyweight landing a whopping 5.15 significant strikes a minute. In contrast, he is only absorbing 3.30 significant strikes per second with 61 percent defense that is striking.
Miocic combines his striking with wrestling scoring over two takedowns every 15 minutes within the octagon. Miocic isn’t the branch’s hardest puncher, but he moves really well and has shown an ability to prevent taking much harm. Miocic has a good motor overall and can even work an adequate speed late in fights. On the side, opponents can hurt him. He had been stunned by Overeem only a couple bouts past, so that is something to watch for moving ahead.
Francis Ngannou (Record: 11-1, -175 Favorite, Power Ranking: A+)
On a six fight winning streak to start his UFC career, Francis Ngannou has rapidly risen to be a true threat to Stipe Miocic’s crown. He has finished all six of his UFC competitions with his last four victories all coming within the opening two minutes of those bouts.
The Cameroon born heavyweight began training in boxing in his native Cameroon before moving to France in age 22. He was homeless for a period of time, residing in the streets of Paris as he picked up odd jobs here and there before he joined up at MMA Factory and turned into a fighter. He never return and began fighting professionally in 2013.
The 6’4″ heavyweight has one of the longest reaches in MMA at 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’s fairly patient time his opportunities. He will do it, when he senses a finish.
From an athletic standpoint, he’s about as good as there is at the UFC. He is muscular, exceptionally strong, and agile. He is a fighter that could do things that other fighters can’t do within the Octagon. The majority of his finishes have come early in conflicts; Ngannou has not been pushed yet so it is a complete unknown what sort of pace he would struggle at if pushed into the championship rounds. His takedown defense is decent, but it is not elite therefore he could be taken down to the mat by wrestling focused fighters.
His chin has rarely been tested. His striking defense is excellent absorbing only 1.46 significant strikes per minute with 60percent defense that is striking. He was staggered by Curtis Blaydes in his second UFC struggle, 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 is tested again, it is going to be tough to tell the way he deals with adversity.
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