Two of the heaviest hitters in MMA today will collide as Francis Ngannou will look to stop former champion Junior dos Santos in a bout with major title implications at UFC Minneapolis.
The heavyweight division has arguably never had more suspense about what’s next. With the possibility of the light heavyweight champion moving up or their heavyweight champion moving down, everyone from fans to fighters is awaiting the next move. However, two fighters are looking to authoritatively force the issue as knockout artist Francis Ngannou takes on former champion Junior dos Santos at UFC Minneapolis.
How!?@Francis_Ngannou only needs ๐๐๐๐๐๐ to throw KO shots. #UFCMinneapolis pic.twitter.com/EnC30R0Q52
— UFC (@ufc) June 27, 2019
As the months have gone on, Francis Ngannou’s loss to Derrick Lewis feels more and more like an anomaly than an indicator that his best days are behind him. “The Predator” has exorcised whatever demons plagued him two-fold. Last November, he stopped surging contender Curtis Blaydes with a first-round knockout. In February, he spoiled the return of Cain Velasquez with another first-round stoppage. In both outings, he has shown the form that got him to a title shot back in 2018.
A win over dos Santos would solidify him as the top contender in the heavyweight division. Looking at the division, one is pressed to say there would be a more deserving candidate for a shot at the belt. However, the reality of the situation is more complicated. Heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic are set to collide for a second time in August. Should Cormier triumph, the demand would be for a third matchup with light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Miocic had a dominant victory over Ngannou back in 2018 and a rematch would be a difficult sell if Ngannou is anything less than spectacular on Saturday.
Former champion Junior dos Santos has quietly put together one of the most impressive stretches of his career in recent years. Impressive performances over Blagoy Ivanov, Tai Tuivasa, and Derrick Lewis have him on the brink of his fourth UFC title shot. More than a decade in the UFC, his resume includes victories over the likes of Cain Velasquez, Stipe Miocic, and Fabricio Werdum as he’s become one of the premiere heavyweights a generation.
That overhand right from Dos Santos is something different ๐ฑ@Junior_Cigano #UFCMinneapolis pic.twitter.com/tb2XtLR7MW
— UFC (@ufc) June 27, 2019
Much like Ngannou, however, dos Santos faces the unenviable task of swaying fans to clamor for his title shot over the more lucrative options on the table. Should he defeat Thiago Santos next Saturday, Jon Jones challenging the heavyweight champion would be arguably the biggest fight in all of mixed martial arts. While that would be unfortunate for the former champion, “Cigano” can help his cause by delivering a highlight reel worthy finish on Saturday.
The cardio and defense of dos Santos is the key to overcoming Ngannou. His ability to get in-and-out is crucial and he will have to be perfect in the early going to survive the onslaught of “The Predator.” Ngannou has notoriously struggled with cardio in the later rounds and the former champion should look to take the fight into deep water where the Cameroonian’s vaunted explosiveness will be significantly diminished.
The winner of the UFC Minneapolis main event is the obvious top contender in the heavyweight division. However, the possibility of Jon Jones moving up remains in play as does Daniel Cormier going back down to light heavyweight if he defends the title in August. Both scenarios push dos Santos or Ngannou to the back-burner and they may elect to take another fight in the interim should the wait for a title shot be particularly prolonged.
