In early December Francis Ngannou stepped into the octagon to face Alistair Overeem in the co-main event at UFC 218. There was a huge disparity in experience between the two heavyweights heading into the bout. Overeem was fighting in his 60th MMA fight, while Ngannou was competing in his 12th. It turned out that Overeem’s lengthy resume meant little when it was pitted against the power of Ngannou.
As soon as the fight began, Overeem lunged toward Ngannou with a left hook. Shortly after he threw that strike Overeem shot for a takedown and then clinched his opponent. Ngannou forced Overeem to the cage. Once he had Overeem’s back to the cage, the size and strength difference between the two men became evident. Although they were the same height, Ngannou’s frame dwarfed that of the former UFC heavyweight title contender.
Overeem had no luck working himself free from the clutches of Ngannou against the fence. With 1:45 ticked off the clock, referee Dan Miragliotta separated the combatants and moved them to the center of the cage.
Twenty-five seconds later, Overeem threw a left hook that left him wide open for a counter shot. With Overeem’s chin exposed, Ngannou uncorked a left uppercut that practically lifted his opponent off his feet. The strike knocked Overeem cold at the moment of impact. The hammerfist that followed on the ground was wholly unnecessary.
Overeem was flat on his back long after Ngannou started his victory celebration. It was a terrifying display of power. It also punched Ngannou’s ticket to a title fight just four years after he began training in MMA.
The powerful KO topped many “Knockout of the Year” lists for 2017.
When his knockout victory, Ngannou joined Rich Franklin, Anderson Silva and Ronda Rousey as the only fighters in the modern era to start their UFC careers with six stoppage wins. Franklin, Silva and Rousey all held UFC titles, Ngannou gets the chance to join those fighters when he meets heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 220 on January 14 from TD Garden in Boston.
