Francis Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic early into the second round to become the UFC heavyweight champion at UFC 260.
Main Event
Ngannou has had three years to sharpen his skills since fighting Miocic for the heavyweight title at UFC 220 in January 2018. The rematch at UFC 260 was expected to yield similar results – Miocic applies his superior wrestling to neutralize the power puncher that is Ngannou. While the knockout result for Ngannou isn’t too surprising – seeing how in his last four fights he has knocked out every opponent with a combined octagon time of only 2 minutes and 42 seconds in those four bouts – his wrestling game shocked everyone. Ngannou landed the first takedown of his career and even stuffed Miocic’s takedown. Ngannou was relaxed and calculated in his attack. Early into the second round, Ngannou continued his heavy pressure on the champ before landing the finishing left hand, which folded Miocic. And new!
UFC AFRICA
Ngannou is now the 3rd African-born UFC Champion. The Cameroonian native now joins the likes of Nigerian-born champions Kamaru Usman (who was in Ngannou’s corner at UFC 260) and Israel Adesanya, the welterweight and middleweight champions, respectively. Africa is now home to the most current UFC champions of any continent.
Jon Jones Next?
Going into this fight, UFC President Dana White made it clear that former Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones would be fighting next for the heavyweight title. However, the plans may be changing. At the post-fight press conference, White addressed Jones moving up in weight. “If I’m Jon Jones and I’m home watching this fight, I start thinking of moving to middleweight,” said White.
In what appears to be par for the course after heavyweight or light heavyweight fights, Jones took to Twitter to express himself. Immediately following Ngannou’s victory, Jones tweeted, “Show me the money.”
Ngannou is ready for Jones and any willing heavyweight. “[Jones] moving up is going to be a challenge I will take. It’ll be a very good challenge,” Ngannou said during the post-fight press conference. “But this time, I am the champ, he is coming up and looking for me. I am ready any time.”
Last month, Derrick Lewis had a spectacular KO over Curtis Blaydes. Lewis is the last man to defeat Ngannou, albeit one of the most boring fights of all time. With circumstances clearly different now, a rematch between now heavyweight champion Ngannou and fan-favorite Lewis would surely equal fireworks.
Co-Main Event
Vicente Luque submitted Tyron Woodley via d’arce choke in the first round, extending his win streak to 3. This was the first submission loss in Woodley’s career. The welterweight champion is now on a four-fight skid. Woodley came out aggressive, hoping to impose his wrestling. Luque was able to reverse position against the fence, and the two began to trade heavy shots. Luque landed a strong overhand right, stunning Woodley. To survive Luque’s onslaught, Woodley landed a wild left hook, causing Luque to stumble a bit. Luque was the more precise striker, causing Woodley to stumble to the canvas. There, Luque effortlessly applied a d’arce choke to the hurt Woodley, ending the fight.
Although the fight was not long, both men received a “Fight of the Night“ bonus for the chaos.
Quick Results
Francis Ngannou def. Stipe Miocic by KO (punches) in Round Two
Vicente Luque def. Tyron Woodley by submission (d’arce choke) in Round One
Sean O’Malley def. Thomas Almeida by KO (punches) in Round Three
Miranda Maverick def. Gillian Robertson by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Jamie Mullarkey def. Khama Worthy by TKO (punches) in Round One
Alonzo Menifield def. Fabio Cherant by submission (Von Flue choke) in Round One
Abubakar Nurmagomedov def. Jared Gooden by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Modestas Bukauskas by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Omar Morales def. Shane Young by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Marc-André Barriault def. Abu Azaitar by TKO (punches and elbows) in Round Three
