Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Francis Ngannou
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Draws JDS in Vegas
Ngannou will take on Junior dos Santos in a heavyweight matchup at UFC 239 on July 6 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Ngannou is back on the right path towards a title shot, picking up back-to-back first-round stoppage victories over Curtis Blaydes and Cain Velasquez. The next man in his way is dos Santos, a veteran of the heavyweight division that is looking to make a late-career resurgence. Dos Santos has put together three wins in a row since coming up short in his title shot against Stipe Miocic, but Ngannou is arguably his toughest test of the last several years. Statistically, dos Santos has superior numbers in both striking offense and striking defense, as well as all wrestling categories. It's physically where Ngannou reigns surpreme, as he's a younger fighter with a six-inch reach advantage. Dos Santos is the more technical fighter, but Ngannou boasts significantly larger power in his hands. With a two-fight losing streak in 2018 being the only exception, Ngannou typically puts up large scoring totals in daily formats. Should he stay on the winning track, he'll likely be next in line for a shot at Daniel Cormier's belt.
Ngannou is back on the right path towards a title shot, picking up back-to-back first-round stoppage victories over Curtis Blaydes and Cain Velasquez. The next man in his way is dos Santos, a veteran of the heavyweight division that is looking to make a late-career resurgence. Dos Santos has put together three wins in a row since coming up short in his title shot against Stipe Miocic, but Ngannou is arguably his toughest test of the last several years. Statistically, dos Santos has superior numbers in both striking offense and striking defense, as well as all wrestling categories. It's physically where Ngannou reigns surpreme, as he's a younger fighter with a six-inch reach advantage. Dos Santos is the more technical fighter, but Ngannou boasts significantly larger power in his hands. With a two-fight losing streak in 2018 being the only exception, Ngannou typically puts up large scoring totals in daily formats. Should he stay on the winning track, he'll likely be next in line for a shot at Daniel Cormier's belt.
Takes advantage of an injury
Ngannou defeated Cain Velasquez via TKO (strikes) at 0:26 of Round 1 at UFC on ESPN 1 on Sunday in Phoenix.
ANALYSIS
This is likely the biggest win of Ngannou's career. Velasquez came out and went for a takedown early in the fight. On the takedown, his knee gave out, though one hard shot in the clinch may have had something to do with Cain losing his footing. Sensing an opening, Ngannou went to work with his punches and forced the referee to stop the fight. After back-to-back losses to Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis, the Ngannou hype train was totally derailed. However, he has now gotten back on track with a pair of victories over Curtis Blaydes and Velasquez. The nature of this win by way of injury might not inspire fan excitement, but the win will certainly look nice on his record.
This is likely the biggest win of Ngannou's career. Velasquez came out and went for a takedown early in the fight. On the takedown, his knee gave out, though one hard shot in the clinch may have had something to do with Cain losing his footing. Sensing an opening, Ngannou went to work with his punches and forced the referee to stop the fight. After back-to-back losses to Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis, the Ngannou hype train was totally derailed. However, he has now gotten back on track with a pair of victories over Curtis Blaydes and Velasquez. The nature of this win by way of injury might not inspire fan excitement, but the win will certainly look nice on his record.
Gets Cain Velasquez in Phoenix
Ngannou will take on Cain Velasquez in a heavyweight battle at a UFC Fight Night event in Phoenix on Feb. 17, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Ngannou finally snapped out of his two-fight skid with a convincing victory over Curtis Blaydes in November, and now he's ready to add another big name to his resume with a matchup against a former champion. Velasquez hasn't fought since the summer of 2016 due to various back injuries, so the biggest question mark in this fight is if he has any rust to shake off. Fantasy owners that elect to use Ngannou in their lineups will do so in hopes of an early finish via strikes, but if Velasquez is able to survive the early onslaught, there's a good chance the tides will turn. In his prime, Velasquez was known for his elite cardio, and he's also averaged more than five takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time in his career. Ngannou's mediocre takedown defense and below-average cardio were exposed in his first title fight against Stipe Miocic, so look for Velasquez to execute a similar strategy. That being said, Ngannou will likely enter as the betting favorite due to the pure amount of power in his hands. One minor mistake from a fighter like Velasquez coming off a long layoff, and Ngannou will look to immediately start a sequence to finish the fight and get his hand raised.
Ngannou finally snapped out of his two-fight skid with a convincing victory over Curtis Blaydes in November, and now he's ready to add another big name to his resume with a matchup against a former champion. Velasquez hasn't fought since the summer of 2016 due to various back injuries, so the biggest question mark in this fight is if he has any rust to shake off. Fantasy owners that elect to use Ngannou in their lineups will do so in hopes of an early finish via strikes, but if Velasquez is able to survive the early onslaught, there's a good chance the tides will turn. In his prime, Velasquez was known for his elite cardio, and he's also averaged more than five takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time in his career. Ngannou's mediocre takedown defense and below-average cardio were exposed in his first title fight against Stipe Miocic, so look for Velasquez to execute a similar strategy. That being said, Ngannou will likely enter as the betting favorite due to the pure amount of power in his hands. One minor mistake from a fighter like Velasquez coming off a long layoff, and Ngannou will look to immediately start a sequence to finish the fight and get his hand raised.
Dulls the 'Razor'
Ngannou defeated Curtis Blaydes via TKO (punches) at 0:45 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night 141 on Saturday in Beijing, China.
ANALYSIS
Everyone knows that Ngannou has the power to finish the fights. After he lost his title challenge against Stipe Miocic, he appeared shy to pull the trigger. That looks to be in the past now. He needed only 45 seconds to finish Blaydes. He landed an overhand right, which floored Blaydes. Ngannou continued to pour it on until the referee stopped the fight. NGannou has the talent to be a difference maker in the UFC's heavyweight division, and it showed here.
Everyone knows that Ngannou has the power to finish the fights. After he lost his title challenge against Stipe Miocic, he appeared shy to pull the trigger. That looks to be in the past now. He needed only 45 seconds to finish Blaydes. He landed an overhand right, which floored Blaydes. Ngannou continued to pour it on until the referee stopped the fight. NGannou has the talent to be a difference maker in the UFC's heavyweight division, and it showed here.
To fight Curtis Blaydes in Beijing
Ngannou will fight Curtis Blaydes in the main event of UFC Fight Night Beijing on Nov. 24, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Ngannou (11-3) has been on a cold streak, losing his past two fights -- the most recent being to Derrick Lewis at UFC 226. Ngannou had previously won six in a row. Blaydes (10-1-1) most recently secured a victory over Alistair Overeem via third-round TKO. Blaydes and Ngannou have fought before, with the latter defeating the former via second-round TKO in April 2016.
Ngannou (11-3) has been on a cold streak, losing his past two fights -- the most recent being to Derrick Lewis at UFC 226. Ngannou had previously won six in a row. Blaydes (10-1-1) most recently secured a victory over Alistair Overeem via third-round TKO. Blaydes and Ngannou have fought before, with the latter defeating the former via second-round TKO in April 2016.