One man now stands above all others in the UFC’s heavyweight division – Stipe Miocic
The main event at UFC 220 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts was arguably the most anticipated heavyweight showdown in years. The championship bout saw Stipe Miocic defend his title against Francis Ngannou in a five round contest. Miocic had been perfect since winning the title from Fabricio Werdum at UFC 198. Since then, he’d scored two successful title defenses by KO over both Alistair Overeem at UFC 203 and Junior dos Santos at UFC 211. Ngannou had also been impressive, with every one of his six UFC fights ending with a finish in his favor. In his last fight prior to UFC 220, he’d scored a thunderous KO win over Alistair Overeem at UFC 218.
At UFC 220, Stipe Miocic opened the action with a leg kick, while Francis Ngannou fired back a high kick. The champ shot a take down, only for Ngannou to escape and Miocic shoot again. Ngannou defended once more, then commenced throwing bombs. Miocic survived, and shot another single that drove Ngannou into the cage. They separated, and Miocic landed his first hard strike, landing a take down not long after. Miocic got side control and fired off some ground and pound. The massive Ngannou exploded up to his feet, but looked tired. Miocic took advantage, landing a hard shot and shooting a take down that ended the round.
Ngannou came out looking tired in round two, not a good sign. Miocic fired a quick leg kick. Ngannou fired back with a right. Miocic started chopping Ngannou’s legs with kicks. Ngannou fired a punch back but continued to show signs of exhaustion. The champ landed a hard right that went unanswered. After a small exchange, Miocic shot in, driving Ngannou across the cage and to his back. Stipe kept his weight on Ngannou, grinding him out and dragging him back to the mat. Ngannou was on one knee as Miocic kept his weight on him, sapping the Cameroonian’s strength and endurance. Miocic slid in a choke, taking his opponent’s back as the round ended.
Round three saw Miocic attack early with leg kicks. He shot a single, driving Ngannou into the cage. In the clinch next, Ngannou tried to explode out and Miocic drove him to the mat. Miocic was leaning heavily on Ngannou, but he managed to get to his feet and back into the clinch. The two broke and Miocic landed a right; Ngannou then landed a crushing right that hurt Miocic. Wounded, the champ replied with a takedown and got Ngannou to the mat. Miocic on top in half guard began raining down shots. The round ended with Miocic on top.
The fourth stanza saw Miocic attack with the single leg takedown into side control. Ngannou worked into half guard and Miocic responded by breaking guard and then taking top position. A tiring Francis Ngannou gave up his back, and Miocic dropped punches and elbows. Ngannou struggled up to his knees with Miocic sticking to him, throwing punches and dragging Ngannou back down once again. Ngannou was back to a knee along the fence, with Miocic throwing punches, elbows and knees to end out the round. To this point, Miocic had executed the perfect game plan, wearing down Ngannou and leaving him spent.
The fifth and final frame saw Francis Ngannou come out looking exhausted. Champ Miocic fired off a leg kick, then drove Ngannou into the cage. Miocic was looking for a trip/take down again but ended up giving up his neck to Ngannou for a time. This allowed Ngannou to work for a standing guillotine. However, Miocic broke free and the two returned to the clinch. Without much action the ref broke them up, restarting the pair in the center of the octagon. Ngannou threw a labored combination that Miocic shrugged off. Miocic seemed content to wait out the clock and not give the tired Ngannou any chances. Perhaps finally finding something of a second wind, the hulking Ngannou fired off a flying knee that missed the mark. That and a final uppercut or two were his last gasps in the fight. Miocic drove the challenger up against the fence to run out the clock, sending the fight to the judges.
The results were never in question: Stipe Miocic defended his UFC heavyweight championship for the third time, setting a record for the promotion. Now very much in the mix for both baddest man on the planet and greatest heavyweight of all time (if he wasn’t before), the only question that remains is: who’s next?
Stipe Miocic def. Francis Ngannou by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44)
