F. Ngannou (left) ran over S. Miocic (left) in the UFC 260 and won the heavyweight belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The heavyweight division (up to 120,2kg) has a new champion. In the main fight of UFC 260, held this Saturday (27), Francis Ngannou made history and ran over Stipe Miocic in the main fight of the night. With a perfect performance, the French-Cameroonian dominated his rival and won the title with a knockout in the second round.
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A favorite in the bookmakers, Ngannou asserted his reputation as a knockout artist against Miocic. Unlike the first fight against Miocic, in 2018, in the rematch, Francis knew how to measure his actions, controlling the now former champion in the first round and settling the score in the second.
With the result, the Franco-Cameroonian joins Israel adesanya e Kamaru Usman like athletes from the African continent who hold belts. One of the most feared men in MMA, the fighter scored his 12th knockout in 16 victories as a professional in mixed martial arts.
Considered by many to be the best heavyweight in the history of the sport, Stipe was unable to defend his fifth title. Moderate in the confrontation, the North American was unable to impose his strategy and produced little in two rounds.
The fight
The confrontation began with Ngannou taking the initiative, delivering a low kick. Miocic moved and avoided entering his rival's range of action. The champion saved his strikes, while Francis walked forward. The French-Cameroonian surprised the North American with a cross to the head, but Stipe absorbed the blow well. The champion attempted a takedown, but the challenger defended well and reversed the situation. From above, Francis delivered a series of punches to his opponent's head, but Miocic got up and tried to recover. Next, Ngannou attacked the American again, connecting with a clean high kick to his opponent's face. After almost four minutes, the champion produced little in the match. In the final seconds, the heavyweights exchanged low kicks, but there was no more time.
In the second round, Francis took the initiative again, this time with a cross. Miocic tried to free himself, but the challenger was dangerous with his counterattacks. Next, Ngannou managed to land a clean right on the American's chin, who collapsed. With Miocic on the ground, Ngannou was left to strike his opponent until the referee stopped the fight.
UFC 260 RESULTS
MAIN CARD
Heavyweight: Francis Ngannou derrotou Stipe Miocic by knockout 52sec. from R2 – Fight for the belt
Welterweight Weight: Vincent Luque finished Tyron woodley with a hand triangle at 3m56s from R1
Bantamweight: Sean O'Malley defeated Thomas almeida by knockout at 3m52s of R3
Fly weight: Miranda maverick derrotou Gillian robertson in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Lightweight: Jamie Mullarkey derrotou Khama Worthy by knockout 46s into R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Light Heavyweight: Alonzo Menifield finished Fabio Cherant with a 'Von Flue' choke at 1m11s of R1
Welterweight Weight: Abubakar Nurmagomedov derrotou Jared Gooden in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Light Heavyweight: Michal Oleksiejczuk derrotou Modest Bukauskas in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Feather weight: Omar Morales derrotou Shane Young in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Average weight: Marc-Andre Barriault derrotou Abu Azaitar by technical knockout at 4m56s of R3
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