Frances Ngannou unleashes hook from hell... credit Alistair Overeem's head for remaining on his shoulders!
The hype is real ladies and gentlemen
![ngannou-overeem.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmXUYBM9Ko6eFGytnrBLQpuewfwkQsWR29FaWnQvznkdTa/ngannou-overeem.jpg)
For a while now UFC president Dana White has been trying to convince anyone that would listen Frances Ngannou is the next big thing at heavyweight. This weekend the Cameroonian showed the world what the fuss was all about with a first round demolition of dutch powerhouse Alistair Overeem.
Overeem called Ngannou a "hype train". Well, far from derailing the train Overeem was almost decapitated by it! Call it naivety, hubris or plain foolishness, but Overeem decided to stand and trade with the man who holds the world record for the hardest recorded punch and found himself one the wrong end of a devastating shovel left hook.
What impressed me more than Ngannou's power is how technical he was with it and how calm he stayed as the bullets flew. While Overeem was trying to catch him with looping overhand rights; Ngannou kept his punches short and crisp allowing him to beat Overeem to the punch in the pivotal exchange that ended the fight.
Tempering the exuberance
I've heard some crazy talk since Saturday night. Fighters and pundits that should know better talking about the possibility of Ngannou's power having the potential to kill an opponent in the ring.
Relax guys.
Let's get this fight in perspective.
Overeem fought the completely wrong fight. He fought in a style tailor made to either get the big knock out or get knocked out badly. Anyone getting in the ring with Ngannou now knows what not to do. Don't trade with this man, especially not straight of the bat else he'll be hitting you into oblivion.
Future opponents will definitely be on their Ps&Qs.
It's slightly bemusing to hear people talk in such hyperbolic terms about Ngannou. He is competing against elite athletes not having a fight with your local tough guy in the bar. If something as tragic as a serious injury or (heaven forbid) a death occurred a Ngannou fight it would be more likely a freak incident rather than due to his freakish strength.
Expect more cagey affairs in future Ngannou fights with his opponents looking to test Ngannou's wrestling and cardio. They will force Ngannou to find them. They won't do "an Overeem".
Side kick
You've got to feel slightly for the current UFC Heavyweight Champion, Stipe Miocic. The guy has been steamrolling all-comers. He has won his last four fights (three of them title fights) by first round stoppage. He doesn't get the credit that he is due. This is highlighted by reports that he got paid less (as Champion) than he last two challengers (Overeem and Junior Dos Santos).
The "issue" with Stipe is he doesn't have the "look" and his story doesn't read like that of a Marvel Comic book character. I get that if you're the UFC (or any promoter) marketability in your Champions counts for a lot.
Cinderella Fighter
Miocic's story is nice. He stills works as a firefighter for example. However his tale doesn't compare to Ngannou, who grew up in Batié, Cameroon. His father had the a notorious reputation as a Street Fighter. He worked in a sand quarry and turned his back on gang life to pursue his dream to become a boxer. He left his village, travelled to Paris and slept rough as he trained in an MMA gym. Just four years later he is taking the UFC by storm.
It's fairytale stuff.
The problem (as I see it) is that the UFC's job is to promote all "its" fighters. Some of the talk around Ngannou (e.g. with Dana White saying "he looks like the World Champion") is kind of disrespectful to Miocic. However it is natural for a promoter to have a bias towards the crowd-pullers.
X Factor
![ngannou-overeem2.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmYzNWHZRjvAD8SFNrNYoHyYzvdkvyqhuXi5TxfUm3ck19/ngannou-overeem2.jpg)
And Ngannou will be a crowd-puller alright. He has that X factor. If he captures the UFC heavyweight title in spectacular fashion, I can see him crossing over.
It would not surprise me to see him fight a boxing bout. Ngannou's ambition when he first stepped into a combat gym four years ago was to box. And all the ingredients are there for a mega boxing fight.
Baddest man on the planet
The Heavyweight boxing scene is vibrant. There are a host of personalities but the two that stand out for a mega clash are Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.
Unlike the Mayweather-McGregor fight; an Ngannou-Wilder or Ngannou-Joshua looks competitive on paper. The current crop of Heavyweight, while able to create a buzz, are not as accomplished as those of yesteryear. In different ways this new batch are still trying to establish themselves as elite boxers in the eyes of the public.
I would not fancy Ngannou's chances against a prime Lennox Lewis or prime Mike Tyson. But I'd pit his power against any of the current crop of Heavyweight boxers.
For all the skill and technique of the smaller men; there is something uniquely engrossing about the Heavyweight division in combat sport. It's why someone like Anthony Joshua, who by his own admission is still learning his craft can sell out 90,000 capacity areas. It's why when newcomer like Ngannou arrives we get the same kind of goosebumps that Mike Tyson brought when he first stepped on the scene.
I think we know for all the exceptional smaller fighters; were they matched with a good big man (who knows have to use his natural advantages), they'd stand little chance. Heavyweight fighting is combat in it's unadulterated form.
It's not fair. But life's not fair.
Ask Alistair Overeem, who for all his achievements will be remembered in large part for being on the wrong end of one of the most spectacular KOs in UFC history.
Ask Stipe Miocic, who despite all his achievements will go into his next fight with everything to prove.
As for Ngannou. He has the world at his fight and the UFC heavyweight title within his grasp. Should he seize his moment be prepared to buckle up for one hell of a ride!
He fucking decapitated Overeem! I can't wait to see him fight Stipe for the belt!
I loved the Alvarez - Gaethje fight. If Gaethje changes his brawl style a little bit and fights a little smarter , with his heart and gas tank , he will break most fighters
Best fight on the card!
It looks like he is looking up into the parabolic cloud where Crypto Market Caps are these days LOL
I was literally afraid Overeem was dead with how long he was out for....definitely the most vicious hit i've ever seen in UFC and I've been watching for years.
I think that Overeem was at one time, a legitimate force to be reckoned with. However, his chin left him several fights back, and he is still trying to bang with the big men like he did in the past. I say adapt your style, or perish as a has been who no longer has a chin, but tries to live out the glory days of his former self; tarnishing his legacy with each loss.
I know its a separate weight class, but imagine if he and Anthony Johnson faced off. That'd be some real power in the cage.
I've never been interested in UFC but this is pretty awesome! If you like sports follow me and check out my latest football post!
I have been so wrapped up with work this year that I have been detached from the world of MMA so I had no idea who Francis was but leading up to the fight and catching the odd interview here and there, I knew something was up with this guy. He wasn't just your average heavy weight. Though I have to admit I only knew Overeem and though he was going to win this one. I know Overeem has a suspect chin and been knocked out more than most, I just figured he's on one last title run before retirement. Well, I think after this fight Overeem should just sit back and enjoy his earning from his career.
I was lucky enough to meet him one time in Las Vegas and talk to him for a bit. He was such an awesome guy, it made watching the out come of this fight that much harder but props to Francis, I think he's going to take that title and hold the belt for awhile.
looks light lights are out!