The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Miocic readies for tough title defense
It’s fight week, and this could be the biggest challenge and defining moment of Stipe Miocic’s UFC career.
The heavyweight champion and Eastlake North graduate takes on No. 1 contender Francis Ngannou on Jan. 20 in Boston at UFC 220.
This one might not play out like it, but considering the build-up and what’s on the line, this is a super fight.
Here’s five things to keep an eye on Jan. 20 at TD Garden: HISTORY IS ON THE LINE » With a win, Miocic (17-2) would become the first UFC heavyweight to defend the belt three consecutive times. All-time heavyweights such as former champs Mark Coleman, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, Randy Couture and Fabricio Werdum could not hold onto the belt that long.
A win not only puts Miocic alone in the UFC record books, but there will be legitimate discussion of ranking him as the greatest heavyweight of all time.
In his last title defense in May 2017, Miocic eliminated dos Santos in Round 1 with a vicious right.
The former champion was disappointed with his performance, but praised the champion.
“He’s well on his way (to becoming the best of all time),” said dos Santos after the fight. “He’s the real deal.”
Asked what it will take for a heavyweight to dethrone Miocic, dos Santos said, “It will take a lot. He has really heavy hands, so the way I see it he’s going to continue to grow in this division, and become one of the greatest.” THE CHAMP IS THE UNDERDOG » Despite four straight first-round knockouts dating to the start of 2016, Miocic will enter the bout vs. Ngannou (11-1) as the underdog.
That’s fine with Miocic, who’s currently a +165 underdog. Ngannou is a -175 favorite.
“I’m used to it,” Miocic told The News-Herald. “The money’s on him right now. The smart money will come at the end (of the fight).” NGANNOU HAS ALL THE HYPE » The reason why Ngannou — four years younger than Miocic at 31 — is the favorite stems from his breakout performance Dec. 2 in a bout with Alistair Overeem. Ngannou ended it quickly with a vicious left uppercut that left Overeem unconscious.
Overeem later went on Twitter and called the punch “an uppercut from hell.” That performance started the Ngannou buzz, and it hasn’t stopped. At a Dec. 29 news conference in Las Vegas promoting UFC 220, UFC president Dana White gushed about the power of Ngannou’s punches. Which leads to the big question ... WHO HITS THE HARDEST? » White compared a Ngannou punch to getting “hit by a Ford Escort going as fast as it can.”
To which Miocic responded, “I’m probably like a little bug or something. But good for him. Let him get all the hype he wants. I’m going to do what I do and keep winning.”
Miocic’s punches might not have the look of a haymaker because Coach Marcus Marinelli and his staff preach the technical side of boxing. A Miocic punch is short and compact. When it connects, it’s usually exactly where it needs to be to inflict damage.
As for the measurables, Ngannou has a slight edge. Miocic is 6-foot-4, 240 pounds; Ngannou 6-4, 250. Ngannou has an 83-inch reach, which is a three-inch advantage over Miocic’s.
Ngannou’s punching power is impressive, but Miocic’s isn’t one to simply walk into either. That’s because Miocic’s right hand has put many men to sleep. WILL IT GO BEYOND ROUND 1?» This could be the X factor in the fight. In six UFC fights, Ngannou has never gone past Round 2. If the challenger can’t finish Miocic early, and the fight reaches into the third round and beyond, the advantage swings heavily to Miocic.
On Dec. 13, 2014, Miocic fought dos Santos for the first time as he was emerging as a heavyweight contender. Miocic controlled the bout for the first few rounds, until dos Santos took control late in the bout to earn a unanimous victory. It was a grueling, bloody bout, one Miocic called a “turning point” in his career.
Ngannou said he trains to be prepared to go a full 25 minutes — the length of a five-round mainevent bout. Miocic said not so fast, because until a fighter experiences that, it’s difficult to simulate in training.
“It’s a grind. Once you get there, it sucks,” said Miocic.