With extraordinary strength, Ngannou delivers a brutal knockout to Cigano at UFC Minneapolis

F. Ngannou in a knockout over J. Cigano in the UFC Minneapolis. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @ufc

I couldn't even sweat. In the most anticipated duel of UFC Minneapolis, which took place this Saturday (29), in the United States, the force of Francis Ngannou was once again put to the test against the Brazilian Junior Gypsy. The athletes were looking for a victory so they could have the chance to compete again for the division title. In just over a minute of the contest, the French-Cameroonian made his reputation count by delivering a devastating knockout to the Santa Catarina native.

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Junior Gypsy he had little time to put into practice the strategy outlined by his team. The athlete, who was going through a great phase within the company, was frustrated by Francis' aggressiveness, who took no notice of the former heavyweight champion and minimized the Brazilian's expectations of being able to try and regain the belt he once held.

Cigano was coming off three consecutive victories and, at the moment, occupied third place in the division's ranking, behind only Ngannou, Stipe Miocic and the current champion, Daniel Cormier.
The Santa Catarina's opponent, after this Saturday's meeting, confirmed that he is one of the most feared athletes in the company. Francis scored his third victory in a row and remains firm in his dream of being able to fight again for the heavyweight belt.

 The fight

Ngannou started the duel by throwing a low kick at Cigano. Junior soon responded with a kick, which took the French-Cameroonian to the ground. The athlete, however, got up quickly. As predicted, Francis soon released a bomb with his right hand and shook the Brazilian. Ngannou attacked Junior and landed a series of blows that knocked the Santa Catarina native down and forced the referee to stop.

UFC Minneapolis results

MAIN CARD

Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Francis Ngannou derrotou Junior Gypsy knockout at 1m11s of R1

Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Joseph Benavidez derrotou Jussier formiga by knockout at 4m47s of R2

Welterweight (up to 77kg): Demian Maia derrotou Anthony Rocco Martin in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Vinc Pichel derrotou RooseveltRoberts in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Drew dober defeated Marco Polo Reyes by knockout at 1:07 of R1

Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Alonzo Menifield derrotou Paul Craig by knockout at 3m19s of R1

PRELIMINARY CARD

Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Ricardo Carcacinha derrotou JourneyNewson in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Erik Anders derrotou Vinicius Mamute by knockout at 1m18s of R1

Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Jared gordon defeated Dan Moret via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Dalcha Lungiambula defeated Dequan Townsend by knockout 42 seconds into R3

Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): Amanda ribas derrotou emily whitmire via submission 3m10s into R2

Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Maurice Greene derrotou Junior albini by knockout at 3m38s of R1