27.3.2021. Stipe Miočić vs Francis Ngannou

This is more than a fight. This is a clash between two sport worlds: one which promotes humble approach to life and training accompanied with respect – originating in true martial arts environment, wrestling, and other boasted by money, media and UFC organisation itself – originating somewhere in Dana White`s head. When I look most of the fighters in the UFC I only see trash talk and non-collegiality. Not Stipe, not a chance. You will not hear any offensive word or sense mockery from that guy. Long time I searched for true role model in the world of MMA and I finally found him in Stipe Miočić. Excellent fighter, dedicated to his family and community, fireman, inteligent, witty, indeed a very special person. I didn`t like when Cormier pretended to be his friend, during UF 27 filming and after, just to gain his trust and then eye poked him in the first fight which was won by Cormier but in dubious manner exactly because of that eye poke which is illegal and seriously affected Stipe`s vision. But ok, it is what it is: Cormier won and Stipe had to ask for re-match which he eventually won by TKO. Fans on both sides waited for third encounter and it happened: Stipe won again this time by decision. Before first fight with Cormier Stipe had a row of victories over good and dangerous opponents like Gonzaga, Hunt, Arlovski, Overeem, Werdum, Santos and Ngannou, losing only to the Stefan Struve earlier, but defending the heavyweight title three times which made him enter the legend of UFC heavyweights – no one has ever defended the heavyweight title three times in a row. Randy Couture, Tim Sylvia, Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez did it two times but Stipe Miočić did it THREE TIMES!!! Fedor Emelianenko in PRIDE defended the heavyweight title three times in a row also, but when he came to the Strikeforce and Bellator he lost not from the top-notch fighters so I can not take the importance of the two achievements equally. What I can compare between Stipe and Fedor is their honourable „on and off stage“ conduct and focus solely on the sport performance not rampage.
Stipe is one of the last chevaliers in the sport. He did what he did, and today he is what he is, exactly because he was like he was – decent, humble and noble. He didn`t pursued mere profit through wild behaviour wished by bloodthirsty media fueling mediocrities in enchanted circle of gore money. Instead he took much less commercial approach but precisely that road led him to the champion status and, moreover, granting him reputation of the greatest heavyweight fighter in mixed martial arts history. And do not teach him about marketing– he has degree in it and communications also.
Stipe is a member of Strong Style Fight Team. His coach is Marcus Marinelli. Marinelli opened the Strong Style Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness Center, the 20,000-square-foot facility, in Independence, Ohio, in 2005. Stipe first trained wrestling and boxing before he engaged in his mixed martial arts career.
On the other hand, Francis Ngannou trains in UFC Performance Institute located in Enterprise, Nevada. He started boxing and then switched to MMA. He is the current record-holder of the highest punching power ever measured by the UFC. Any fighter`s strategy against Ngannou must incorporate dodging and clinching to avoid his heavy arms. Forget about usual absorption – you better evade his hits as much as you can vice versa utilizing your best techniques simultaneously to overcome that sheer power Ngannou holds. But to be honest, I sincerely doubt that Stipe`s punch is significantly weaker than of Ngannou. And even if it is – it is still just one element. Looking at Ngannou`s MMA record I see nothing but respect: Blaydes, Arlovski, Overeem, Velasquez, Dos Santos and Rozenstruik – they all fell knocked out. Only loses Ngannou suffered were decisions against Stipe and Derrick Lewis. Maybe it is time for him to feel how it is being unconscious in the octagon?
They are of same height, 193cm, but Ngannou`s stated weight is over 20 pounds bigger: 259lb/233lb (117kg/106kg). Of course, only official weigh-in before the fight will reveal both fighters mass for this occasion. Everything is possible. Perhapse Stipe shows up a bit larger and Ngannou a bit smaller which would perfectly match them about 242lb/110kg.
What are the contributing factors to each fighters winning chance? On Stipe`s side definitely his wrestling and boxing skills, intelligence, agility, speed and endurance. On Ngannou`s side power and common African genetics which makes them physically superior in most cases. I do not think cardio will be issue for Ngannou this time – he surely worked that part since their first encounter. Age is approximately close: Stipe is 38 years old while Francis is 34. The bout location is UFC Apex – just opposite to the UFC Performance Institute where Ngannou trains. I consider this to be neutral ground for both fighters but I also consider it to be a bit unfair since their first encounter was also on the neutral ground in Boston, Massachusetts. I think Stipe deserved home ground, Cleveland, for this second fight of theirs especially this being his title defense. It shows how UFC is inclined towards their favourite. Out of 7 Stipe`s title fights, either attacks or defenses, only 1 was held in Cleveland. So after this win, I expect at least next two defenses to be in Cleveland.
I set odds 60:40 in Stipe`s favour and I will surely bet on this fight. GO STIPE! Losing is not an option because I never liked establishment and their biases.