All eyes were on the UFC 220 main event last night. The promotion’s new hype train, Francis Ngannou rolled into town to take care of business, but it didn’t quite turn out that way…
There aren’t many fighters who are compared to Ford Escorts or Sledge Hammers in the UFC. Both those lofty honours were bestowed upon Francis Ngannou by Dana White before UFC 220.
Rather unashamedly, the UFC and the betting offices were planting Ngannou as the massive favourite against Stipe Miocic. The current champ may have decimated Fabricio Werdum, Junior dos Santos, Mark Hunt and many others, but the UFC was not on his side.
During the pre-fight hype, the UFC and White in particular painted a picture of ‘The Predator’ that everybody loved. Yes, he is a red-hot prospect, but the promotion did try to exploit the opportunity, and perhaps a little too soon.
After seeing what he did to Alistair Overeem, the UFC was clearly hoping Ngannou would beat Miocic after the champ’s lengthy contract disputes.
Stipe Puts on Show
Miocic felt he had a point to prove at UFC 220. The Croatian-American who also works full time as a firefighter even admitted he felt somewhat overlooked by his employers. As a result, he showed up with his game face on, looking to impress.
Impress he did, as Miocic withstood everything Ngannou could throw and fired back. Outlanding ‘The Predator’ through all five rounds, a swollen and victorious Miocic broke the all-time record for UFC heavyweight title defenses.
Watch the best bits of Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou fight video highlights below:
What an insane fight!
Kenny, Jimmy and Rashad break down Stipe Miocic's big win over Francis N'Gannou! #UFC220 https://t.co/bJb07jJjDK
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) January 21, 2018
Heavy bombs being thrown from both sides, but it was indeed Miocic who put in the better performance. Questions about the next contender for the heavyweight belt now arise, but there isn’t much out there right now.
Perhaps a superfight with Daniel Cormier, or is there another deadly contender the UFC would like to favor next?
UFC 220 full fight card results
Main Card
Heavyweight: Stipe Miocic def. Francis Ngannou via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44)
Light Heavyweight: Daniel Cormier def. Volkan Oezdemir via TKO (punches) 2:00 of Round 2
Featherweight: Calvin Kattar def. Shane Burgos via TKO (punches) at 0:32 of Round 3
Light Heavyweight: Gian Villante def. Francimar Barroso via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Bantamweight: Rob Font def. Thomas Almeida via TKO (head kick and punches) 2:24 of Round 2
Preliminary Card
Featherweight: Kyle Bochniak def. Brandon Davis via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Welterweight: Abdul Razak Alhassan def. Sabah Homasi via KO (punch) at 3:47 of Round 1
Flyweight: Dustin Ortiz def. Alexandre Pantoja via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Featherweight: Julio Arce def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Featherweight: Enrique Barzola def. Matt Bessette via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight: Islam Makhachev def. Gleison Tibau via KO (punch) at 0:57 of Round 1
