The unofficial title of Baddest Man on the Planet was on the line once again at UFC 270, with Francis Ngannou looking to defend his undisputed Heavyweight Championship in his very first title defence against the interim champion, Ciryl Gane. The lead up to the main event couldn’t have been written any better with two former training partners going to battle. The former teammates’ storyline was well documented ahead of their showdown, with sparring videos being released and stories of the history between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane during their time as training partners making the rounds.
Francis Ngannou has added some big names to his résumé, knocking out former champions like Cain Velasquez, Stipe Miocic and Junior Dos Santos. Knocking out opponent after opponent with explosive power, it was only a matter of time before he was the one headlining a UFC Pay-Per-View with his title being defended. At UFC 270, Ngannou looked to quiet the drama of contract disputes and gym chances, and show why he is the baddest man on the planet.
With his ten-fight winning streak on the line, Ciryl Gane looked to unify his interim title and become what he has worked hard to be, an Undisputed UFC Champion. Rising up the rankings in a short time with a hybrid, well-rounded style for a heavyweight, Gane looked to make UFC 270 his night and have his reign as heavyweight champ begin.
Few would have thought that this fight would go all five rounds. A decent heavyweight fight from both men and it was Francis Ngannou’s grappling that got him the victory… no, you didn’t read that wrong — Francis Ngannou got some key takedowns on a man who has never been on his back. Thanks to that grappling, the judges decided that Francis Ngannou had done enough to keep his title around his waist.
PROS GIVE THEIR TAKE
Here is how the pros reacted to UFC 270 main event…
AND STILLLLLL!! 🌍🤴🏿 🏆 #ufc270
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) January 23, 2022
Lol Shit I may just enjoy retirement
— BONY (@JonnyBones) January 23, 2022
If you’re in California and you feel the ground shake. Don’t be alarmed…that’s not an earthquake, It’s just the clash of two titans in the ufc octagon. #UFC270
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) January 23, 2022
How quickly they forget champ #UFC270
— Calvin Kattar (@CalvinKattar) January 23, 2022
That slam is gonna be a hot nft
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 23, 2022
#andstill the champion @francis_ngannou great job by the champion. Who would have thought it would be wrestling and grappling that got him the victory. Congrats champ!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 23, 2022
D1 @ Francis university #UFC270
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) January 23, 2022
They didn’t know about that wrestling!!!
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) January 23, 2022
Imagine saying “Francis can’t win a decision over a highly nimble and skilled Gane,”
Then he goes out and wins a decision! SUPER impressive! The king is here to stay! #UFC270— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 23, 2022
Francis won that i think 3-2
— Sam Alvey (@smilensam) January 23, 2022
Everyone was prepared for Ngannou winning by decision and via his grappling right?! 🤷🏻♂️😂
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) January 23, 2022
That slam was sick though. #ufc270
— Mike Pierce (@MikePierce170) January 23, 2022
Ngannou wrestling 😲 #ufc270 👏🏾
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) January 23, 2022
How is N’gannou that strong?
— The Thugjitsu Master (@thugjitsumaster) January 23, 2022
Crazy how good both of them are
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) January 23, 2022
#AndStill 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 @francis_ngannou proud of you little brother!!!! #ufc270
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) January 23, 2022
Ngannou has made this interesting. Last round wins the fight. #UFC270
— Mark O. Madsen (@MarkTheOlympian) January 23, 2022
This is legitimate heavyweight gladiators in this ring 😳😳😳 enjoying this shit #UFC270
— Juan Archuleta (@jarchmma) January 23, 2022
0% of people thought Ngannou should win that way! What an evolution. Congrats to the baddest man on the planet! #UFC270
— Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) January 23, 2022
Replay that sweep @ufc #ufc270
— Kai Kamaka III (@kaiboikamaka) January 23, 2022
