UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic (18-2-0) took the starch out of challenger Francis Ngannou (11-2-0) en route to a unanimous decision victory in the main event of UFC 220.

Miocic used head movement to avoid most of the big shots Ngannou sent his way early in the first round. Timely clinching, grappling, and takedowns as Ngannou started to fade kept the control in champion’s favour. Ngannou tried to keep pace, but was visibly tired after the second round when Miocic used his weight to lean on him. He did connect occasionally with a big strike, but did not have the energy to sustain an offence.

With the win, Miocic becomes the first UFC heavyweight to defend the belt three consecutive times. In the post-fight interview, he announced his will be a father.

UFC FIGHT PASS EARLY PRELIMS

ISLAM MAKHACHEV VS. GLEISON TIBAU 

WINNER: ISLAM MAKHACHEV VIA TKO (STRIKES) R1 0:57

ANDREWS PREDICTION: ISLAM MAKHACHEV VIA TKO

Andrews: Tibau looked a bit rusty and Islam caught him with a nice straight left. Excellent win for Makhachev.

MATT BESSETTE VS. ENRIQUE BARZOLA 

WINNER: ENRQIUE BARZOLA VIA UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: ENRIQUE BARZOLA VIA UD

Andrews: Barzola overcame Bessette’s striking with takedowns and leg kicks and controlled most of the fight. Bessette did good on short notice, but it was Barzola’s night.

TSN 5 PRELIMS 

DAN IGE VS. JULIO ARCE 

WINNER: JULIO ARCE VIA UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: JULIO ARCE VIA TKO

Andrews: Arce had the footwork to keep Ice on the defensive for most of the bout. He couldn’t quite get the finish, but good performance anyways.

#10 DUSTIN ORTIZ VS. #11 ALEXANDRE PANTOJA 

WINNER: DUSTIN ORTIZ VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALEXANDER PANTOJA VIA SUBMISSION

Andrews: Ortiz used his strength and controlled the bout for the most part. I thought Pantoja could get the fight to the ground but he couldn’t. Good win for Ortiz.

SABAH HOMASI VS. ABDUL RAZAK ALHASSAN 

WINNER: ABDUL RZAK ALHASSAN VIA TKO R1 3:47

ANDREWS PREDICTION: ENRIQUE BARZOLA VIA UD

Andrews: Akhassan left no doubt this time. Excellent finish.

KYLE BOCHNIAK VS. BRANDON DAVIS

WINNER: KYLE BOCHNIAK VIA UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: BRANDON DAVIS VIA TKO

Andrews: It was a slugfest, but Bochniak got the better of the fight.

MAIN CARD

#10 THOMAS ALMEDIA VS. #14 ROB FONT 

WINNER: ROB FONT VIA TKO (STRIKES) R2 2:24

ANDREWS PREDICTION: THOMAS ALMEIDA VIA TKO

Andrews: Wow! I thought Almedia was going to finish Font but instead Font took a page out of Almedia’s book by using his strikes and then a devastating right headkick to seal the deal. Excellent win.

#15 GIAN VILLANTE VS. FRANCIMAR BARROSO 

 

Andrews: Villante needs a win badly as he’s lost three of his past four fights. He also looked kind of pudgy at the weigh-ins so I’m going with Barroso.

Andrews Prediction: Francimar Barosso via UD

CALVIN KATTAR VS. SHANE BURGOS 

WINNER: CALVIN KATTAR VIA TKO (STRIKES) R3 0:22

ANDREWS PREDICTION: CALVIN KATTAR VIA UD

Andrews: A very close and technical fight until Kattar caught Burgos in the third round. Nice win for Kattar.

DANIEL CORMIER VS. #2 VOLKAN OEZDEMIR 

 

WINNER: DANIEL CORMIER VIA TKO R2 2:00

ANDREWS PREDICTION: DANIEL CORMIER VIA UD

Andrews: DC survived the first round and then when Oezdemir was tired, took him to the ground and went to town.

MAIN EVENT

STIPE MIOCIC VS. #1 FRANCIS NGANNOU

 

WINNER: STIPE MIOCIC VIA UD (50-44, 50-44, 50-44)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: FRANCIS NGANNOU VIA TKO

Andrews: I thought Ngannou was going to land the big shot, but to Miocic’s credit he took some and avoided most of them. Plus used takedowns to tire Ngannou and piled up the points. Not the most exciting fight, but good win.

@kenaiandrews

UFC 220: Stipe Miocic outlasts Francis Ngannou