Ahead of each UFC fight card, Jay Primetown of all MMA Oddsbreaker have a look at a few of the essential contests at each event. In the most recent installment, we look at the main event of UFC 220 as Stipe Miocic defends his heavyweight championship against Francis Ngannou. This is Francis Ngannou’s initial main event and first time fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship, despite this, he’s nevertheless the betting favorite.
Stipe Miocic (Record: 17-2, +165 Underdog, Power Ranking: A+)
The 35-year-old life 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 one of the most well-rounded athletes at the heavyweight division. In addition to wrestling, he played baseball in school, even drawing interest from a Major League Baseball teams. In regards to MMA, he’s got an amateur boxing background competing at the Golden Gloves competition. Miocic is a fantastic striker having strong hands and operates an extremely high pace to get a heavyweight landing a whopping 5.15 significant strikes a minute. In contrast, he’s only 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 proven an ability to prevent taking much harm. Miocic includes a good motor complete and can even work a decent speed late in fights. On the side, he can be hurt by opponents. He was stunned by Overeem just a couple bouts past, so that is 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 real danger to Stipe Miocic’s crown. He has completed all six of his UFC competitions with his last four victories 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 at the age of 22. He was homeless for a period of time, residing in the streets of Paris because he picked up odd jobs here and there before he joined up in MMA Factory and turned into a fighter. He started fighting professionally in 2013 and never turned back.
The 6’4″ heavyweight has one of the longest reaches MMA at 83″ inches. His output is small for a stride in 3.41 significant strikes per minute. He’s got substantial power in his hands (seven career knockouts), but he is not a fighter that looks to brawl. He is fairly patient timing his opportunities. When a finish is sensed by him, he will go for it.
From an athletic standpoint, he is about as good as there is at the UFC. He’s muscular, exceptionally strong, and nimble. He is a fighter which can do things that other fighters can’t do inside the Octagon. Most of his finishes have come early in conflicts; Ngannou hasn’t yet been pushed yet so it is a whole unknown what kind of pace he’d fight at if pushed into the championship rounds. His takedown defense is decent, but it is not elite therefore he can be carried down to the mat by wrestling focused fighters.
On the toes, his chin has rarely been tested. His striking defense is outstanding absorbing just 1.46 significant strikes per minute with 60percent striking defense. 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. That was a rare moment of weakness or a fluke. Until he is analyzed again, it is going to be tough to tell how he deals with adversity.

Read more here: http://ku.ac.th