The Pro Take: Francis Ngannou KOs Miocic to Capture Gold, Jon Jones Responds

By
Justin Gibbons
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Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou, UFC 260
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 27: (R-L) Francis Ngannou of Cameroon punches Stipe Miocic in their UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 260 event at UFC APEX on March 27, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

While Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier were going to war in their trilogy, Francis Ngannou was busy knocking out each man that was placed in front of him. Repeating that feat four times, Ngannou earned his way back to a title fight at UFC 260, thanks to finishes of Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez, Junior Dos Santos and Jair Rozenstruik. Which set him right back on his way to contender status.

While it may have taken a few years for the rematch between Francis Ngannou and Stipe Miocic to arrive, it was no less intense. Fans love watching two fierce heavyweights battle it out – especially when it’s a rematch. But perhaps more importantly, the extra development time meant that a much-improved Francis Ngannou stepped into the cage at UFC 260.

Of course, both men were searching for their one storybook ending after the main event, with Stipe looking to make history once again in the heavyweight division by passing Randy Couture and being the sole leader with the most heavyweight title fight wins. Francis Ngannou wanted to show the world that his time to be champion was now, and how perfect would it be to start the journey as heavyweight champion by avenging a loss against a man who many consider to be the greatest MMA heavyweight of all time?

In the end, Francis Ngannou got the ending he wanted. And proved that he had learned from his first loss to Stipe in 2018. With surprising patience, he stalked Miocic, finally unloading a bomb that, once it connected, put the lights out for Stipe Miocic. Round two. Knockout. And new.

PROS GIVE THEIR TAKE

Here are the pros reaction to the heavyweight main event between Francis Ngannou and Stipe Miocic. Including none other than Jon Jones, who may be next at heavyweight. Of course, Jones either wants to get paid for facing Ngannou, or has been binging Cuba Gooding Jr. movies.

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