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Prior to each UFC fight card, Jay Primetown of all MMA Oddsbreaker takes a look at some of the essential competitions at every event. In the most recent installment, we consider the main event of UFC 220 as Stipe Miocic defends his heavyweight championship against Francis Ngannou. That can be Francis Ngannou’s first main event and first time fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship, despite this, he is nevertheless the betting favorite.
Stipe Miocic (Record: 17-2, +165 Underdog, Power Ranking: A+)
The 35-year-old life Ohio native has been 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 rear of a knockout victory over dos Santos in their rematch in May 2017. If Miocic beats dos Santos, then he’ll break the record for consecutive title defenses at heavyweight with three.
Miocic is among the most well-rounded athletes at the heavyweight division. Besides wrestling, he played baseball in school, even drawing interest 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 solid hands and operates a very large rate for a heavyweight landing a whopping 5.15 significant strikes a moment. In contrast, he is just absorbing 3.30 significant strikes per minute with 61 percent striking defense.
Miocic mixes his striking with wrestling scoring over two takedowns each 15 minutes within the octagon. Miocic is not the division’s hardest puncher, but he moves really well and has shown an ability to avoid taking much damage. Miocic has a solid motor complete and may even work an adequate pace late in fights. On the side, competitions can hurt him. He had been amazed by Overeem only a couple bouts past, so that’s something to watch for moving forward.
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’s finished all six of his UFC opponents with his last four successes 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 at age 22. He was homeless for a time period, residing in the streets of Paris because he picked up odd jobs here and there before he joined up at MMA Factory and developed to a fighter. He never turned back and began fighting professionally in 2013.
The 6’4″ heavyweight has one of the longest reaches in MMA in 83″ inches. His output is modest for a heavyweight at 3.41 significant strikes every second. He’s got heavy power in his hands (seven career knockouts), but he’s not a fighter that appears to brawl. He is fairly patient timing his opportunities. He will do it, when a finish is sensed by him.
From an athletic standpoint, he is about as good as there is in the UFC. He is muscular, exceptionally powerful, and nimble. He is a fighter which can do things that other fighters cannot do within the Octagon. The majority of his finishes have come in fights; Ngannou has not been pushed yet so it’s a whole unknown what kind of pace he’d struggle at if pushed into the tournament rounds. His takedown defense is adequate, but it’s not elite therefore he can be taken down to the mat by wrestling concentrated fighters.
On the feet, his brow has been tested. His striking defense is excellent absorbing only 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’s the only time. That was a moment of a fluke or weakness. Until he’s analyzed again, it is going to be tough to tell the way he deals with adversity.

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