Five reasons to watch UFC 260, with the rematch between Miocic and Ngannou for the heavyweight title

S. Miocic (left) tries to keep the heavyweight belt against F. Ngannou (right) in the UFC 260. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The wait is over. This Saturday (27), in Las Vegas (USA), the long-awaited rematch between Stipe Miocic e Francis Ngannou in the fight for the heavyweight belt (up to 120,2 kg.). With the promise of a great show, Ultimate has scheduled a spectacle that will feature 10 fights, featuring two Brazilians.

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Before UFC 260, Dana names Miocic as the best heavyweight in MMA history

Without any scares, Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou confirm a fight for the heavyweight belt at UFC 260

In the last fight of the night, Stipe Miocic will try to maintain his reign in the face of the feared Francis Ngannou. The fighters faced each other once, in 2018, when the North American dominated his rival, retaining the title in a unanimous decision by the judges, on that occasion.

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Initially, the penultimate performance of the show would mark the meeting between Alexander Volkanovsky e Brian ortega, for the featherweight belt (up to 65,7kg.). With Covid-19, the champion ended up leaving the event and the clash was cancelled. Thus, the conflict between Tyron woodley e Vincent Luque gained more prominence.

Still on the main card, Brazilian fans have reasons to stay tuned. Promise in bantamweight (up to 61,2kg.), Thominhas Almeida returns to the octagon and tries to overcome the bad phase in the face of Sean O'Malley, one of Ultimate's biggest bets for the future.

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To get you in the mood, our team selected five reasons to watch the show. Check out:

1) Historic revenge

F. Ngannou (right) was largely dominated by S. Miocic in 2018. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook @ufc

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Considered one of the best heavyweights in MMA of all time, Stipe Miocic wants to continue making history in the sport. Seeking his fifth title defense in the category, the American will have an old acquaintance in front of him at the weekend.

Three years after trading forces against the feared Ngannou, Miocic will need to prove once again that he is the best in the division. Faced with an opponent known for his extraordinary physical strength, the champion will have to act intelligently to avoid being surprised.

Defeated in 2018, Ngannou will have the second opportunity to hold an Ultimate title. Three years ago, the French-Cameroonian was unsuccessful when he tried to dethrone Stipe, who already held his current position.

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Coming off four knockout victories in a row, Francis wants to show that he has evolved as an athlete. To stay at the top, Miocic will need to rewrite the script of the past.

2) Who faces Jones?

In 2021, J. Jones (center) will be able to trade forces against S. Miocic (left) and F. Ngannou (right). Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @JonnyBones

It is no secret that Jon Jones will be keeping an eye on UFC 262. The biggest name in the history of MMA light heavyweights (up to 93kg), the North American is preparing to join the 120,2kg group.

Before even testing himself in the division,'Bones' was confirmed by the organization's president, Dana White, as the next challenger for the belt. So, theoretically, Jon will face the winner of this Saturday's main fight.

Absolute in the under-93kg division. for about 10 years,'Bones' seeks a new challenge in his career. In recent years, the North American has made public his discouragement in his former category due to not seeing great opponents.

Out of light heavyweight since August 2020, when he gave up his belt and began the process of gaining muscle mass, the athlete will certainly make a statement after the event.

3) Vicente Luque and the 'struggle of life'

V. Luque (right) will be able to place the dismissal of T. Woodley (left) in the UFC 260. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Considered one of the great Brazilian promises for the welterweight division (up to 77kg.), Vincent Luque is close to having the 'fight of his life' in the UFC. Current number 10 in the ranking, the athlete will exchange forces against the former division champion, Tyron woodley.

Even in a bad phase in his career, coming from three consecutive setbacks, the North American is still respected by members of the category. Leader of the group between 2016 and 2019, the athlete is experiencing an atypical moment in Ultimate. If he is surpassed by Vicente, the athlete could be included on the dreaded layoff list and say goodbye to the company this weekend.

While Tyron fights for his job, Vicente will need to take advantage of his rival's situation. With two positive results in a row, a new triumph could put the Brazilian in a position to challenge a top 5 rival.

4) Thominhas pressed

T. Almeida (right) comes from three consecutive defeats in Ultimate. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Famous for the aggressiveness with which he conducts his confrontations, Thominhas Almeida comes in under pressure for his Saturday appointment. Faced with Ultimate's 'baby', Sean O'Malley, the Brazilian needs to win to move away from a sequence of three defeats.

While Almeida cannot waver, O'Malley wants to show that the stumble suffered in 2020 was more than a mere fatality. The North American, who arrived undefeated in Ultimate, ended up being badly beaten by Marlon Vera, with a knockout in the first round.

At 29 years old, Thominhas, who spent almost three years without performing due to injuries, today has 26 fights as a professional in MMA. Without winning since 2016, the São Paulo native has 22 triumphs and four setbacks in the sport.

5) Khabib's cousin in the area

A. Nurmagomedov (left) poses next to the MMA legend. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

On the event's preliminary card, a surname will catch the attention of spectators. In the fourth fight of the night, Abubakar Nurmagomedov, cousin of the legendary Khabib, will climb into the Octagon.

Representative of the welterweight division (up to 77kg), he will try to win his first victory with the organization's gloves. Coming from the PFL (Professional Fighters League), the athlete was unsuccessful in his UFC debut in November 2019, when he ended up submitted by David Zawada.

This Saturday, however, the Russian will be able to score a 'goal' in the clash against Jared gordon, who also comes from a setback and wants to win first in the company.