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.
#AndStill! @StipeMiocicUFC just reminded the world that he is the BADDEST MAN ON THE PLANET! #UFC220 @WishShopping pic.twitter.com/dfZLyumbDR
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018
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.
Performances of the Night – #UFC220
FOTN: @CalvinKattar vs @HurricaneShaneB
POTN: @DC_MMA & @JudoRazak50K EACH | @PerformInspired #Sponsor pic.twitter.com/TZ3nwziNcm
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018
UFC FIGHT PASS EARLY PRELIMS
ISLAM MAKHACHEV VS. GLEISON TIBAU
OUT OF NOWHERE!@MakhachevMMA opens up #UFC220 with a BANG! pic.twitter.com/gz3bS2lY6a
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018
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
COMING DOWN. ⤵️@ElFuerteBarzola #UFC220 pic.twitter.com/YUbeQIuosX
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018
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
What a body shot!@JArceTSMMA is doing DAMAGE in the third. #UFC220 pic.twitter.com/o61HPRxBET
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018
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
🔥 🔥 🔥
Action is heating up at the end of round two. #UFC220 pic.twitter.com/rCSaPVJsm4
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018
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
SECOND FIGHT!
SAME RESULT!@JudoRazak #UFC220 pic.twitter.com/z26xMmiSQg
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018
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
Swinging in round three.
What's your scorecard looking like in the final minute? #UFC220 pic.twitter.com/GqLqNkv1Ql
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018
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
BOSTON, STAND UP❗️@RobSFont impresses for the hometown! #UFC220 pic.twitter.com/wwqRR734RX
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018
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
Giving it all they got. 😤
The LHWs continue to round three in Boston. #UFC220 pic.twitter.com/zI1yG3BPUD
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018
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
BOSTON STRONG! 💪@CalvinKattar drops Burgos from the unbeaten! #UFC220 pic.twitter.com/KWb9dvCXf7
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018
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
#AndStill! @DC_MMA shows why he is the champ from START to FINISH! #UFC220 @WishShopping pic.twitter.com/WV0TsgyRau
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018
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
HISTORY IN BOSTON!@StipeMiocicUFC becomes the first HW to successfully defend the belt three consecutive times. #UFC220 pic.twitter.com/PwFUg7meTD
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2018
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.
