Ahead of every UFC fight card, Jay Primetown of all MMA Oddsbreaker takes a peek at a few of the essential competitions at each event. In the latest installment, we consider the main event of UFC 220 as Stipe Miocic defends his heavyweight championship against Francis Ngannou. This is Francis Ngannou’s first major event and first time fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship, despite this, he is still 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 at 2014. He enters Saturday’s title fight on the rear of a knockout victory over dos Santos in their rematch in May 2017. If Miocic beats dos Santos, he’ll break the record for consecutive title defenses at heavyweight using three.
Miocic is among the most athletes at the division. Besides wrestling, he also played baseball in school, even drawing interest from some Major League Baseball teams. In regards to MMA, he has an amateur boxing history competing in the Golden Gloves competition. Miocic is a fantastic striker having strong hands and operates an extremely high rate for a heavyweight landing a whopping 5.15 significant strikes a minute. In comparison, he is only absorbing 3.30 significant strikes per minute with 61 percent striking defense.
Miocic combines his striking wrestling scoring over two takedowns every 15 minutes within the octagon. Miocic is not the branch’s hardest puncher, but he moves very well and has proven an ability to prevent taking much damage. Miocic has a solid motor overall and can even work a decent pace late in battles. On the side, he could be hurt by opponents. He had been stunned by Overeem only a few bouts past, so that’s 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 quickly risen to be a true danger 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 these bouts.
The Cameroon born heavyweight began training in boxing in his native Cameroon before proceeding to France in the age of 22. He had been homeless for a time period, living 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 started fighting in 2013 and never turned back.
The 6’4″ heavyweight has one of the longest reaches MMA in 83″ inches. His output is modest for a heavyweight at 3.41 significant strikes per minute. He has heavy power in his hands (seven career knockouts), but he is not a fighter that looks to brawl. He’s fairly patient timing his chances. He will do it when he senses a finish.
From an athletic standpoint, he is about as good as there is at the UFC. He is muscular, exceptionally powerful, and agile. He’s a fighter that could do things that other fighters can’t do inside the Octagon. Most of his finishes have come in fights; Ngannou has not yet been pushed yet so it is a whole unknown what kind of pace he would struggle at if pressed into the championship rounds. His takedown defense is adequate, but it’s not elite therefore he could be taken down to the mat by wrestling focused fighters.
His brow has been analyzed. His striking defense is outstanding absorbing just 1.46 significant strikes per minute with 60percent defense that is striking. He had been staggered by Curtis Blaydes in his second UFC struggle, but recovered quickly and ended up winning by doctor stoppage. That is the only time. Perhaps that was a moment of a fluke or weakness. Until he’s tested again, it will be tough to tell how he copes with adversity.
Read more here: http://www.jundaohc.com/?p=11514
