Ahead of every UFC fight card, Jay Primetown of all MMA Oddsbreaker have a look at some of the key contests at every function. In the latest installment, we consider the primary event of UFC 220 since Stipe Miocic defends his heavyweight championship against Francis Ngannou. That is Francis Ngannou’s initial main 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 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 using three.
Miocic is one of the most well-rounded athletes in the division. In addition to wrestling, he also played baseball in college, even drawing attention from a Major League Baseball teams. In reference to MMA, he’s got an amateur boxing background competing at the Golden Gloves competition. Miocic is a good striker having strong hands and operates a very large rate for a heavyweight landing a whopping 5.15 significant strikes a moment. In contrast, he’s only absorbing 3.30 significant strikes per minute with 61 percent defense that is striking.
Miocic combines his striking wrestling scoring over two takedowns every 15 minutes inside the octagon. Miocic is not the division’s hardest puncher, but he moves very well and has proven an ability to prevent taking much harm. Miocic has a solid motor complete and can even work an adequate pace late in battles. On the side, he could be hurt by opponents. He was stunned by Overeem just 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 battle winning streak to begin his UFC career, Francis Ngannou has quickly risen to be a real danger to Stipe Miocic’s crown. He’s completed all six of his UFC competitions with his past four successes 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 in the age of 22. He had been homeless for a period of time, living in the streets of Paris because he picked up odd jobs here and there until he joined up at MMA Factory and turned to a fighter. He never turned back and began fighting in 2013.
The 6’4″ heavyweight has one of the longest reaches in MMA at 83″ inches. His output is modest for a stride in 3.41 significant strikes every second. He’s got substantial power in his hands (seven career knockouts), but he is not a fighter that appears to brawl. He’s fairly patient timing his opportunities. When he senses a finish, he’ll go for it.
From an athletic standpoint, he’s about as good as there is in the UFC. He is muscular, extremely powerful, and nimble. He is a fighter that can do things that other fighters can’t do inside the Octagon. The majority of his endings have come early in conflicts; Ngannou hasn’t yet been pushed yet so it’s a complete unknown what kind of pace he’d 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 brow has seldom been analyzed. His striking defense is outstanding absorbing only 1.46 significant strikes per minute with 60percent defense that is striking. He was staggered by Curtis Blaydes in his next UFC struggle, but recovered quickly and ended up winning by doctor stoppage. That is the only time. Perhaps that was a rare moment of weakness or even a fluke. Until he is analyzed again, it is going to be hard to tell how he copes with adversity.

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