Francis Ngannou unified the UFC heavyweight titles in the primary occasion of UFC 270 on Saturday night time, beating interim champion Ciryl Gane through unanimous determination with a stunning wrestling show.
Ngannou (17-3) is understood for his hellacious knockout energy and had by no means earlier than gained on factors, however the French-Cameroonian scored a number of takedowns as he handed former teammate Gane (10-1) his first defeat as knowledgeable blended martial artist.
Ngannou’s 16 earlier professional wins had all come through stoppage, 12 of them through KO/TKO and most of them early in his fights. In opposition to a a lot faster and seemingly extra technical opponent, the least seemingly path to victory for Ngannou appeared to be a choice, however the 35-year-old defied expectations in Anaheim’s Honda Middle to beat Gane 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 on the judges’ scorecards.
Gane was the primary to provoke a grappling trade in the primary occasion, taking pictures for a double-leg takedown early within the first spherical. Ngannou defended the try and shortly discovered himself holding the interim champion in opposition to the fence.
What adopted was a extra predictable interval from Ngannou, who responded to an elbow from Gane with a harsh hook to the physique and a driving uppercut to the 31-year-old’s head. Ngannou managed to land simpler punches in shut, although Gane was seemingly unfazed by the facility coming at him.
The heavyweights quickly grappled once more within the centre of the Octagon, with Ngannou utilizing his energy to drive Gane to the cage wall, just for “Bon Gamin” to reverse the place.
Ngannou was respiratory closely as the primary spherical got here to an finish, and Gane dictated the tempo within the second spherical by peppering the “Predator” with leg kicks – under bands that Ngannou was notably carrying round every knee.
The gang grew stressed as Gane utilised extra kicks to seemingly declare the spherical, and the sample of the struggle continued into Spherical 3 till Ngannou capitalised on a missed kick by Gane, slamming the Frenchman to the mat.
Gane reacts to his defeat by Ngannou
(AFP through Getty Photographs)
Ngannou labored from facet management and seemed to maneuver into mount, however Gane was capable of stand in opposition to the fence. Regardless of trying drained as soon as extra and plodding in the direction of Gane, Ngannou was capable of safe one other takedown, neatly taking pictures for a double-leg after connecting with a left hook to the physique.
Gane directly seemed for a Kimura lock however failed to determine the right positioning because the third spherical ended. The interim champion additional utilised his kicking sport within the fourth spherical, just for a missed kick to value him for the second time within the struggle.
After catching one such tried assault, Ngannou took down Gane as soon as once more. Though Gane was capable of momentarily stand, Ngannou dragged him again down the canvas directly.
With Gane seemingly needing to win the ultimate spherical to have any probability of leaving Anaheim as undisputed champion, the 31-year-old pressed ahead, touchdown a one-two earlier than securing a single-leg takedown.
Gane, who solely turned professional in August 2018, appeared to exhibit a slight lack of ring IQ, nevertheless, making an attempt a heel hook however giving up his dominant place in doing so.
Ngannou fought off a second try on the submission to finish the spherical and struggle on prime, earlier than being declared the victor and undisputed UFC heavyweight champion with a profitable first defence of the belt he gained from Stipe Miocic final March.
“I knew he was gonna be a tricky opponent, little doubt, I do know him,” Ngannou stated of Gane after the bout. “He was very, superb.
“The one factor I needed to do was keep composed, don’t chase him, belief your self.”
Referencing the bands round his knees, Ngannou added: “Three weeks in the past I damage my knee, tore my MCL utterly, however couldn’t see myself retreat from this struggle, as a result of it was a second for me to make an announcement.
“You guys could sleep on me, however I put in work daily.”
The victory additionally appeared to maintain alive Ngannou’s dream of a crossover struggle with heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury – even when the win didn’t showcase the “Predator”’s trademark punching energy.
“Boxing is all the time behind my pocket, it’s one thing I have to do earlier than the tip of my profession,” Ngannou stated.
“It’s not like I’ve a lifetime right here.”
The French-Cameroonian is believed to have yet another struggle on his present UFC deal, although he has insisted he’ll now not struggle for “$500,000 or $600,000” amid a pay dispute with the promotion’s president Dana White.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
