Francis Ngannou walks out of the Octagon as the UFC Heavyweight Champion at UFC 260 (UFC Twitter)
Francis ‘The Predator’ Ngannou is the reigning UFC heavyweight champion
Francis Ngannou has been a force to be reckoned with, ever since he made his UFC debut. The Cameroonian has never lost a single fight via. a knockout or submission. All his losses have come via. decision.
After almost 6 years since his debut he won the heavyweight championship at UFC 260, earlier this year. ‘The Predator’ beat Stipe Miocic in a rematch via. a brutal left hook KO in the second round.
Prior to the Miocic fight, Ngannou was known only as a wild striker. Many believed he didn’t have any technical aspects to his game. However, during his fight against Miocic he showed elite takedown defense coupled with striking.
His dominance and scary demeanor has got everyone thinking if he would ever be defeated.
Elsewhere, UFC welterweight Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson broke down the current heavyweight division scenario and named ‘that’ one fighter whom he thought could see off Ngannou.
Thompson named recent heavyweight sensation Ciryl Gane as the man who can give problems to Ngannou’s championship reign.
“Ciryl Gane looked very good in his last fight. I believe he is probably one of the only guys that can at least give him [Ngannou]…besides another fight with Stipe if it ever happens…that can probably give him the best look.”
Thompson then explained why he felt Gane might be the one to see off Ngannou:
“Francis Ngannou has really worked on his takedown defense. And a guy that’s his size and his strength is gonna be very difficult to take down. So, it’s gonna have to be somebody standing. And Gane is the guy. I believe he could get it done. Possibly. We never know. But, I think he has a good shot as anybody.”
Following his victory over Alexander Volkov in the main event of UFC Vegas 30, Gane was paired opposite Derrick Lewis to fight it out for the interim heavyweight title.
The event is set to headline UFC 265 on the 7th of August. Gane is currently ranked number 3 in the heavyweight division, while Lewis is ranked number 2.
Although Gane will be facing his biggest ever test, he will be backing his impeccable striking and precision to see off ‘The Black Beast’.
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