Jun 18, 2019 / by Winer PR / In Uncategorized / Leave a comment

UFC 220 BETTING PREVIEW AND ODDS: MIOCIC VS. NGANNOU

Ahead of every UFC battle card, Jay Primetown of MMA Oddsbreaker have a peek at some of the key contests at each event. In the latest installment, we look at the main event of UFC 220 as Stipe Miocic defends his heavyweight championship against Francis Ngannou. This is Francis Ngannou’s initial major event and first time fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship, despite this, he’s nevertheless the betting favorite.
Stipe Miocic (Record: 17-2, +165 Underdog, Power Ranking: A+)
The 35-year-old lifetime Ohio native was on a tear, winning his last five fights as a decision loss to Junior dos Santos at 2014. He enters Saturday’s title fight on the back of a knockout victory over dos Santos in their rematch in May 2017. If Miocic beats dos Santos, he will break the record for consecutive title defenses at heavyweight with three.
Miocic is among the most athletes at the heavyweight division. In addition to wrestling, he also played baseball in college, even drawing interest from a Major League Baseball teams. In regards to MMA, he’s got an amateur boxing history competing at the Golden Gloves competition. Miocic is a fantastic striker having solid hands and works an extremely large rate for a heavyweight landing a whopping 5.15 significant strikes a moment. In contrast, he is just absorbing 3.30 significant strikes per minute with 61 percent defense that is striking.
Miocic mixes his striking with wrestling scoring over two takedowns each 15 minutes inside the octagon. Miocic isn’t the branch’s hardest puncher, but he moves very well and has proven an ability to avoid taking much damage. Miocic includes a solid motor overall and can even work a decent pace late in fights. On the reverse side, he could be hurt by opponents. He was amazed by Overeem just a few bouts ago, so that’s something to watch for moving forward.
Francis Ngannou (Record: 11-1, -175 Favorite, Power Ranking: A+)
On a six battle winning streak to start his UFC career, Francis Ngannou has rapidly risen to be a true danger to Stipe Miocic’s crown. He has completed all six of his UFC competitions with his past four successes all coming over the opening two minutes of those bouts.
The Cameroon born heavyweight began training in boxing in his native Cameroon before proceeding to France at the age of 22. He had been homeless for a time period, living in the streets of Paris because he picked up odd jobs here and there until he joined up at MMA Factory and developed into a fighter. He started fighting in 2013 and never turned back.
The 6’4″ heavyweight has one of the longest reaches MMA in 83″ inches. His output is small for a stride in 3.41 significant strikes every second. He has heavy power in his hands (seven career knockouts), but he’s not a fighter that appears to brawl. He is fairly patient time his chances. He’ll go for it, when he senses a finish.
From an athletic standpoint, he is about as good as there is at the UFC. He’s muscular, extremely strong, and nimble. He is a fighter that can do things that other fighters can’t do inside the Octagon. Most of his endings have come in conflicts; Ngannou hasn’t yet been pushed yet so it is a whole unknown what sort of pace he would struggle at if pushed into the championship rounds. His takedown defense is adequate, but it is not elite therefore he can be taken down to the mat by wrestling focused fighters.
On the feet, his chin has seldom been tested. His striking defense is excellent absorbing just 1.46 significant strikes per minute with 60percent defense that is striking. He had been staggered by Curtis Blaydes in his second UFC struggle, but recovered fast and ended up winning by doctor stoppage. That is the only time he has been contested. Maybe that was a moment of even a fluke or weakness. Until he’s analyzed again, it is going to be hard to tell how he copes with adversity.

Read more: sportspriority.com