Prior to every UFC fight card, Jay Primetown of all MMA Oddsbreaker takes a peek at some of the essential contests at each function. In the latest installment, we consider the primary event of UFC 220 as Stipe Miocic defends his heavyweight championship against Francis Ngannou. This is 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 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 one of the most well-rounded athletes in the division. Besides wrestling, he also played baseball in school, even drawing interest from a Major League Baseball teams. In regards to MMA, he has an amateur boxing background competing in the Golden Gloves competition. Miocic is a fantastic 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 second with 61 percent striking defense.
Miocic combines his striking with wrestling grading over two takedowns every 15 minutes within the octagon. Miocic isn’t the branch’s hardest puncher, but he moves very well and has shown an ability to prevent taking much harm. Miocic has a solid motor overall and can even work a decent pace late in fights. On the side, he can be hurt by competitions. He was stunned by Overeem only a couple bouts ago, 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 begin his UFC career, Francis Ngannou has rapidly risen to be a true danger to Stipe Miocic’s crown. He’s finished all six of his UFC opponents with his past four successes all coming over 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 because he picked up odd jobs here and there before he joined up in MMA Factory and developed to a fighter. He started fighting in 2013 and never turned back.
The 6’4″ heavyweight has one of the longest reaches in MMA at 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 is not a fighter that appears to brawl. He’s fairly patient time his chances. He’ll do it, when he senses a finish.
From an athletic standpoint, he’s about as good as there is in the UFC. He’s muscular, extremely 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 fights; Ngannou has not yet been pushed yet so it is a complete unknown what kind of pace he would fight at if pushed into the tournament rounds. His takedown defense is decent, but it’s not elite so he could be carried down to the mat by wrestling focused fighters.
On the toes, his chin has seldom been analyzed. His striking defense is outstanding absorbing just 1.46 significant strikes per minute with 60percent striking defense. He was staggered by Curtis Blaydes in his second UFC fight, but recovered fast and ended up dropping by doctor stoppage. That is the only time he’s been contested. Perhaps that was a moment of weakness or even a fluke. Until he is tested again, it will be hard to tell how he deals with adversity.

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