UFC 220 results: Stipe Miocic defeats Francis Ngannou for third title defence and become greatest heavyweight champion
American star celebrated the win by announcing he was having a baby after dominating the man who was tipped to dethrone him
STIPE MIOCIC derailed the Francis Ngannou hype train - becoming the most dominant UFC heavyweight champ in history with a third defence - and roared “I'M GONNA BE DADDY!”
The American ace executed the perfect gameplan to totally dominate the man who was being tipped to become the Mike Tyson of MMA with an era of dominance.
Miocic was in control of every round all three judges went 50-44 for the undisputed star to retain his gold and smash the myth surrounding the Predator.
And he celebrated his masterful victory by sharing the news of a new Miocic being on the way.
The 6ft 4in star bellowed: “I am not the scariest but I am the baddest! Of course there was danger, look how big he is, he is a tough dude.
“None of that matters, all that matters is; 'I am going to be a dad, I am having a baby. Hell Yeah!'”
Ngannou started with a wild high kick from his awkward southpaw stance that Miocic managed to swerve.
But the Cameroon star did not stop throwing monstrous shots that somehow made the American giant look tiny in the octagon.
LITTLE WHITE LIES Conor McGregor to be stripped of belt as Dana White announces Khabib vs Ferguson
Miocic tried to grapple and wrestle, to avoid any more brutal punches from the challenger, and he managed to pin the Predator to the cage for some respite.
Ngannou slashed away at Miocic’s eye with some huge shots but the former Golden Gloves champion landed some great shots of his own and showed smart defensive work.
Miocic then managed a beautiful takedown that took the 31-year-old to the unfamiliar surroundings of the canvas where he looked in real trouble.
But Ngannou showed a granite chin after eating half a dozen huge punches before Miocic dropped him with a massive double-leg takedown to confirm his dominance.
Ngannou – who has enjoyed seven first-round wins – looked spark-out at the start of the second round.
The champ kept his distance, jabbed well and waited for the Las Vegas-based African to make mistakes.
Miocic – who volunteers as a fireman at home in Ohio – succeeded with a third takedown attempt and then just piled his weight upon the exhausted challenger.
Referee Herb Dean had to tell Ngannou to show some willing but the softly-spoken giant looked broken in his 13th fight.
Miocic grabbed Ngannou’s bulging neck in the final seconds of round two but the bell saved the stricken star from a submission defeat.
Ngannou’s corner correctly told them he was two-rounds down – during his much-needed break – and he looked unable to swim in the deep waters Miocic was dragging him into.
latest mma news
Veteran Miocic controlled the fight in the third, barrelling his rival into the cage wall and robbing him of crucial energy reserves.
Miocic was calling on all of his boxing experience and conditioning to pace himself and keep out of range as Ngannou resembled a wounded – albeit giant – animal.
But the wounded powerhouse hit back with a vicious shot that rocked the record-chasing champ, only for Miocic to shoot and score another takedown and mount a ground-and-pound assault before the bell.
Miocic was told by his coach at the break that he was “awesome” and it was impossible to argue on this performance against the UFC’s hottest star.
Round four started with another brilliant takedown – despite Ngannou insisting he would not be vulnerable to grappling attacks before the fight.
The beating was so one sided, Ngannou’s heart demanded huge credit, even if his conditioning and gameplan did not.
Miocic used every ounce of his experience to drain the giant of every iota of strength and energy he had left.
The second-half of the fourth was difficult to watch at Miocic clung to the challenger limpet-like and smashed shots into Ngannou’s unguarded face – it was incredible that the battered and bruised star did not quit.
It looked like Miocic could have locked in an easy submission – for the first of his career – but he remained in the dominant position until the bell.
In the final break, Miocic was told to play it safe to ensure a brilliant and wide points win, the American’s eye even seemed to have healed itself after a first-round beating.
The two hulks were glued to the cage for start of the final round until Ngannou tried a guillotine choke that Miocic expertly evaded to regain control.
Sections of the ungrateful crowd dared to boo as both men flagged in the final two minutes – clearly forgetting the brutality they had seen in the opening 20 minutes - until Miocic was crowned
How to win £1MILLION with Sun Six
SUN SIX is the new predictor game where you can win £1million - just by correctly picking the results of six games.
Here is how to get your mitts on the million:
- Make your picks - predict the scores from these six games
- Enter your details - quickly sign up to Sun Bets so we can contact you
- Score £1m - Watch the scores roll in and you can win £1m
Top pundits IAN WRIGHT and DANNY HIGGINBOTHAM have made their picks for this week if you need a steer.
And remember, you can claim a free £30 bet with Sun Bets when you sign up put a tenner on this weekend's football .