Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Francis Ngannou
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New UFC heavyweight king
Ngannou became the new UFC Heavyweight Champion on Saturday, defeating Stipe Miocic via KO (punches) at 0:52 of Round 2 at UFC 260 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Ngannou's rise to the top of the heavyweight division is complete. From his multiple attempts to escape his native Cameroon, to being homeless on the streets of Paris, Ngannou has reached the pinnacle. He couldn't have done it in a more impressive fashion. His trademark power was there, as always, but he fought considerably smarter than in the first fight against Stipe, and he even displayed exceptional technical form in stuffing a takedown from Miocic. Ngannou was already the most terrifying man in the sport today, and this newly-found patience makes him all the more dominant. Good luck beating Francis if he picks his spots and remains upright like he did Saturday. An immediate rematch with Miocic is probably the smart play, but it seems highly unlikely that will be the route in which the UFC goes. A potential blockbuster between Ngannou and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has been brewing for a while now, and it's difficult to see the company going against that considering it would be one of the biggest, most lucrative fights in UFC history. Jones is arguably the greatest fighter in the history of the sport, but Francis is going to be favored if it does indeed come to pass. He merits a big pay day for that type of super fight, but in the meantime, Ngannou did walk away with an extra $50,000 after earning Performance of the Night honors.
Ngannou's rise to the top of the heavyweight division is complete. From his multiple attempts to escape his native Cameroon, to being homeless on the streets of Paris, Ngannou has reached the pinnacle. He couldn't have done it in a more impressive fashion. His trademark power was there, as always, but he fought considerably smarter than in the first fight against Stipe, and he even displayed exceptional technical form in stuffing a takedown from Miocic. Ngannou was already the most terrifying man in the sport today, and this newly-found patience makes him all the more dominant. Good luck beating Francis if he picks his spots and remains upright like he did Saturday. An immediate rematch with Miocic is probably the smart play, but it seems highly unlikely that will be the route in which the UFC goes. A potential blockbuster between Ngannou and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has been brewing for a while now, and it's difficult to see the company going against that considering it would be one of the biggest, most lucrative fights in UFC history. Jones is arguably the greatest fighter in the history of the sport, but Francis is going to be favored if it does indeed come to pass. He merits a big pay day for that type of super fight, but in the meantime, Ngannou did walk away with an extra $50,000 after earning Performance of the Night honors.
Gets another shot at Miocic
Ngannou will face Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title at UFC 260 on March 27, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Miocic and Ngannou have met once already, with Miocic handing Ngannou the first loss of his UFC career in a unanimous decision victory back in January of 2018. Ngannou followed that up with another unanimous decision defeat against Derrick Lewis but has since been on a remarkable four-fight winning streak which has taken him a combined 2:42 to complete. He'll look for his fifth straight dominant performance in this one against the fighter who has held the division title for most of the last five years, losing it once to Daniel Cormier only to reclaim it in his very next fight
Miocic and Ngannou have met once already, with Miocic handing Ngannou the first loss of his UFC career in a unanimous decision victory back in January of 2018. Ngannou followed that up with another unanimous decision defeat against Derrick Lewis but has since been on a remarkable four-fight winning streak which has taken him a combined 2:42 to complete. He'll look for his fifth straight dominant performance in this one against the fighter who has held the division title for most of the last five years, losing it once to Daniel Cormier only to reclaim it in his very next fight
Dominant effort, title shot next?
Ngannou defeated Jair Rozenstruik via KO (punches) at 0:20 of Round 1 at UFC 249 on Saturday in Jacksonville.
ANALYSIS
Absolutely terrifying. Ngannou threw about five massive punches at Rozenstruik, but only one of them found the mark. That one -- a sweeping left hook --- knocked Jair out cold. Per Mike Bohn of MMAJunkie.com, Ngannou's current four-fight winning (KO) streak has lasted a GRAND TOTAL of 2:42. It's a mind-numbing number and one that is nearly impossible to believe. Ngannou may very well be the scariest fighter in the history of the sport. He also may very well have more power than any man in the history of the sport. It's going to be extremely difficult for the UFC to book a Heavyweight Championship fight and not have Ngannou involved at this point. He'll also take home a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts.
Absolutely terrifying. Ngannou threw about five massive punches at Rozenstruik, but only one of them found the mark. That one -- a sweeping left hook --- knocked Jair out cold. Per Mike Bohn of MMAJunkie.com, Ngannou's current four-fight winning (KO) streak has lasted a GRAND TOTAL of 2:42. It's a mind-numbing number and one that is nearly impossible to believe. Ngannou may very well be the scariest fighter in the history of the sport. He also may very well have more power than any man in the history of the sport. It's going to be extremely difficult for the UFC to book a Heavyweight Championship fight and not have Ngannou involved at this point. He'll also take home a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts.
UFC 249 fight official
Ngannou has officially agreed to face Jair Rozenstruik at UFC 249 on May 9, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Ngannou and Rozenstruik were originally scheduled to face off at UFC Columbus on March 28, but that was one of the first few events postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. UFC President Dana White fought tooth and nail to put on UFC 249 as scheduled on April 18, and this matchup was originally set to be part of that event, but it was ultimately postponed as well. Now the event is headed to Florida, according to Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com, where the governor has left the door open to including combat sports like MMA in the "essential business" category. It also appears the Florida State Boxing Commission will be willing to regulate the event, which would be held in an empty arena. With respect to the fight, Ngannou was a heavy favorite of roughly (-290) the first time around, and not much has changed with the fight outlook since then.
Ngannou and Rozenstruik were originally scheduled to face off at UFC Columbus on March 28, but that was one of the first few events postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. UFC President Dana White fought tooth and nail to put on UFC 249 as scheduled on April 18, and this matchup was originally set to be part of that event, but it was ultimately postponed as well. Now the event is headed to Florida, according to Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com, where the governor has left the door open to including combat sports like MMA in the "essential business" category. It also appears the Florida State Boxing Commission will be willing to regulate the event, which would be held in an empty arena. With respect to the fight, Ngannou was a heavy favorite of roughly (-290) the first time around, and not much has changed with the fight outlook since then.
Will fight at UFC 249
Ngannou will square off against Jair Rozenstruik at UFC 249 on April 18, according to his opponent.
ANALYSIS
Ngannou was originally supposed to take on Rozenstruik last month before the fight was postponed amid COVID-19 concerns. The fight is now back on at UFC 249, although a location for the event has yet to be determined. Ngannou was previously listed as a (-270) betting favorite in their previously scheduled bout, and once again figures to be favored by oddsmakers.
Ngannou was originally supposed to take on Rozenstruik last month before the fight was postponed amid COVID-19 concerns. The fight is now back on at UFC 249, although a location for the event has yet to be determined. Ngannou was previously listed as a (-270) betting favorite in their previously scheduled bout, and once again figures to be favored by oddsmakers.