The Predator's Rise | Francis Ngannou vs. Alistair Overeem

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SteemSports Presenter:@brandonk

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SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets

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Frenchman Ngannou is the UFC's Answer for the Future

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UFC 218 is the second Detroit based card ever, with the first being a 1996 pre Zuffa venture. The Motor City will be using it's Little Caeser's Arena to host one of the better cards in recent memory. A main event between the current featherweight champion Max Holloway and perennial contender Frankie Edgar, along with a main event filled with all 'mma' all stars makes this card one not to soon forget. As we approach the Ultimate Fighter finale, I will focus on the brilliant matchmaking entailed with Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez, but for now we focus on the fight assembled and announced yesterday evening.

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Francis Ngannou is the 31 year old, 6"4 bruiser ranked #5 in the heavyweight division. His quick rise through the ranks came with vicious knockout after vicious knockout...and a step up in competition against Andrei Arlovski showed that he can contend, and finish the best of em'. Ngannou has sought a true top 5 heavyweight in his rally to the top, but me along with others doubt he is truly ready for the champion Stipe Miocic, and he surely needs one or two more solid wins to prove critics wrong. The announcement yesterday between the Cameroonian born Frenchman, and the Flying Knee Dutchman made many fans quiver with excitement!

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This bout is sure to bring violence, and a true clash of fighting styles. Overeem is the consummate professional, and never strays from a solid game-plan with his well rounded skill set. Both men move very well for their size, but the power advantage would have to go to Ngannou. Overeem takes the statistics in regards to speed and experience, but his durability is quite below what I'd feel comfortable with...at least when pitting him against top 5 fighters at this point. If Ngannou even touches Overeem's chin with a half hearted blow, the fight will be done. This is the new school vs. the old school, and a number one contender will be born! I assume the winner will fight Stipe for the belt in either Spring or Summer of next year, this will most likely be adjoined with a new middleweight champion and plausible turn around for all divisions. It will be an interesting year for combat sports come 2018. Many veterans will have vanished in that time, and many young guns will evolve the game to where it needs to be.

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