The first UFC PPV of the year goes down in Boston when UFC 220 takes into the TD Garden on January 20.
The surface of the card features both title fights, as Stipe Miocic attempts to derail the hype train of Francis Ngannou and Daniel Cormier looks to prove there are levels vs Volkan Oezdemir.
After those two occasions, many casual fans likely won’t know another fighter on this card. Luckily, I do and I’m here to help you recognize the struggles and possibly pad your bankroll.
Miocic has assembled his match around his world-class boxing abilities. He constantly probes together with his long jab, as he waits for his opportunity to counter. That having been said, Miocic might be better when he’s fighting in a phone booth with more power in his brief punches than many people have, period. Additionally, the reigning champion is a former D1 wrestler who has adapted his style excellently to MMA. Ordinarily, these skills are used defensively but Miocic may also use them to wear down opponents. If Miocic has one enormous drawback, it’s his defense. He has a bad tendency to take a hit to provide a hit.
Ngannou is basically the epitome of physical evolution. “The Predator” is a mountain of a man with an 83-inch reach and perhaps the hardest natural punching power I’ve ever noticed. A lot of individuals point to his power and natural athleticism however Ngannou’s awareness and sense for when to counter-strike is that of someone well beyond his years. The grappling game remains raw technically but his normal power helps him bully his rivals from the clinch. The real question is whether Ngannou has the capability to get from his back when he gets taken down from an elite wrestler.
In the event that you were to ask me who the better fighter is, I would say Miocic. And I despise not financing a winner as an underdog. However, his tendency to take unnecessary punches is a recipe for disaster vs Ngannou. One minor mistake by Miocic means this fight is finished and that feels just like a”if” rather than an”if.”
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