Francis Ngannou vs Alistair Overeem UFc 218
The Predator Francis Ngannou is a UFC heavyweight fighter who has been in the UFC since 2015. Originally from Cameroon Africa, Ngannou now fights out of Paris France and in a relatively short time has become a driving force in the UFC heavyweight division.
Having already previously now fought for the title and lost, he now seeks a second shot at UFC gold. And on his way to top contender, he knocked out several big-name fighters including veteran and former world champion Alistair Overeem.
Having already disposed of another long time contender in former champion Andre Arlovski in devastating fashion. Ngannou now looked to continue his run by taking out the Dutch fighter on his way to an inevitable title shot. Coming into the fight Overeem was the fighter with so my much more experience than his opponent who was seen as a relative newcomer.
But following the destruction of his opponents, having knocked out all but one inside the first round. Ngannou was seen very much as a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. An unknown quantity who had everything necessary to make it all the way to the top. But in order to get there, he would have to go through one of the true legends of the sport in Alistair Overeem.
Name | Alistair Overeem | Francis Ngannou |
Age | 37 | 31 |
Height (feet and inches) | 6′ 4″ | 6′ 4″ |
Weight (lbs) | 247 | 262 |
Reach (inches) | 80 | 83 |
Ngannou vs Overeem Round One
The beginning of round one saw Overeem running across the cage and trying to land a big left hand on Francis, which he misses. Quite uncharacteristic to see Overeem lurching like that, but perhaps trying to impose himself on Ngannou from the getgo.
The missed attempt leads to Ngannou getting Alistair up against the cage in the clinch. And controlling his opponent, Francis begins to unleash some hard old school foot stomps. But Overeem does not seem to phased by the exchange as has no doubt experienced almost every scenario possible in the sport. And as the clinch position stays the same and no real move is being made by either fighter. The referee steps in to separate the fighters.
No in the middle of the cage both men are probing with combinations to see if they can find a way through the defence of the other. And as the pair exchange blows, Francis NGannou manages to sneak in an uppercut which catches Overeem directly under the chin. Sending the veteran fighter to the canvas in a devastating knockout. Francis follows up with another hammer fist which lands squarely on the face of Alistair, but he is already out cold.
A huge win for The Predator Ngannou with one of the single most brutal knockouts in UFC history. As he announces that he is ready for the next big name in the division. With sooner rather than later, an eventual title shot against the current heavyweight champion.