UFC 220 Miocic vs. Ngannou: Fight Card, Half-Assed Musings + Odds

January 20, 2018

TD Garden

Boston, Massachusetts

Just for the record because it needs to be noted, UFC President Dana White said, “Since Trump has been the president of the United States this guy has called me 15, 20 times, I’m telling you. He says some crazy things and does some crazy things. He’s one of the most stand-up human beings that I have ever dealt with in the business. Fact.”

Just let that statement sink in for a minute. That is how stupid the President of the UFC truly is. Dana has to be the most unprofessional and moronic head of all the professional sports leagues. Keep that in mind when you hear this habitual liar say anything, anything at all!

The Miocic/Ngannou, Cormier/Oezdemir, and Almeida/Font are the only good fights on this card that the UFC actually expects fans to pay for. This card is absolute garbage and should not be purchased by anyone. Has anyone heard of VIP Box or Sportsarefree? Just saying. 

Main Card on Pay-Per-View (9pm/CT):

Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic (17-2) +165 vs. #2 Francis Ngannou (11-1) -175

One of the most highly anticipated Heavyweight contests since Cain Velasquez faced Junior dos Santos kicked off the UFC's Fox deal in 2011! Miocic can make history if he wins being the 1st man to defend the UFC Heavyweight title more than twice. Meanwhile, the excitement around Ngannou is palpable as the "Cameroon Crusher" comes in on a 10-fight winning streak all by finish and looking unstoppable.

"Steepay" is on the cusp of history and yet he feels disrespected by the UFC and the media. The oft quiet and single word answering big man may just be using this as a tool for motivation, but when UFC President Dana White continues to call for fighters to promote themselves, one has to wonder if he understands that the UFC is a promotion! Read the words moron. Soapbox over.

Anywho, Miocic is spoiling for the fight and coming in on a 5-fight winning streak (all by finish) and last out avenged his loss to Junior dos Santos in brutal fashion. The Ohioan is now 35, and has (T)KO'd 13 foes. "Steepay" is a big hitter but his wrestling skills are overrated at best. Takedown defense has been solid though.

Ngannou showed against Curtis Blaydes that he can handle a really good wrestler (who is far better on the canvas than Miocic) and his striking absolutely destroys opponents in a way rarely seen today. This man is power personified and has been honing his skills by almost living at the exquisite UFC Performance Center taking advantage of all it has to offer. 

We hate to jump on the bandwagon but Francis does seem to have the advantages even if the UFC Heavyweight Curse wasn't true (which it is). Ngannou seems to have better striking skills in the cage and doesn't reach or leave himself open to counters like Miocic does. One has to remember that Stipe gets hit. A lot. Should the champ be able to drag Francis into deep waters, the Cameroon fighter may slow considerably and fall apart. Who knows? What we do know is Miocic is going to have to walk through Hell early, and Junior dos Santos, Alistair Overeem, and Stefan Struve have all rocked him. MMAFO doesn't see this going well or long for the champ as we crown a new "baddest man on the planet."

WINNER-Francis Ngannou by Rd.2 KO

Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier (19-1, 1) -325 vs. #4 Volkan Oezdemir (15-1) +295

DC's in the house so get ready! If you know anything about MMAFO, it's that we are ride-or-die fans of Daniel Ryan Cormier! The Lafayette native is what men should aspire to be, and one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. No bias here folks.

DC had won 4 bouts in a row before he had his rematch with Jon Jones in July of last year. "Bones" won the night, and then like clockwork, he failed his PED test. Recently, Jones took a polygraph test to prove his "innocence," but as Cormier brilliantly pointed out, "Ted Bundy passed a polygraph test, and then killed the fucking guy that was giving it to him!" Hahahahahaha! My dude!

Daniel has stated things do feel strange as he is coming off a loss, but still with the title. Even so, the man knows when it is time to take care of business, and at 38, there is no time like the present. Cormier is a stellar wrestler who does nasty striking up close in the clinch.

"Oz" has shown power with his short punches in the clinch, which presents an interesting problem for the champ. Volkan will need to get busy early an often because the longer this goes, the more likely he is to be taken down and grounded into a pulp. 

If DC can use some leg kicks to keep "No Time" at bay early, and shoot in for some driving takedowns, he'll have Oezdemir guessing.  Volkan will need to stun Cormier with some of those sneaky punches and finish before he finds himself getting taught a lesson by the "Coach." We're not banking on the new guy who hasn't faced top competition, and struggled in a narrow decision over afterthought Ovince St. Preux. Time is DC's only true foe on Saturday.

WINNER-Daniel Cormier by Decision

Shane Burgos (10-0) -190 vs. Calvin Kattar (17-2) +165

"The Hurricane" remains undefeated and 3-0 in the UFC. 

"The Boston Finisher" (lame) has won his last 9 and trains out of Sityodtong. 

These men are going to strike, and it should be fun, but neither man is going to make any noise in the Featherweight division. Whatever.

WINNER-Shane Burgos by Decision

^ DOUCHE ^

Gian Villante (15-9) -170 vs. Francimar Barroso (19-6) +150

(Sigh) Gian is fighting again. This fucking guy. Villante has gone 5-6 in the UFC and can thank boyfriend Chris Weidman for his employment. Gian is a kickboxer will a weak chin and a terrible fight I.Q.

"Bodao" is a mass of a Brazilian and is more well rounded but nothing special.

Jesus Christ good luck picking this debacle. Villante is the epitome of the Jersey Shore orange tinted idiot, and just hate able. Barroso isn't exactly talented either but he doesn't flame out in such grand fashion as his counterpart. It's just frustrating that both of these men are on the roster when far more talented fighters remain unsigned. Jesus we don't care about this one at all and its on the PPV!

WINNER-Gian Villante by Decision

#10 Thomas Almeida (22-2) -115 vs. Rob Font (14-3) -105

"Thominhas" is in desperate need of a win as he has gone 1-2 in his last 3 and struggled with the top tier competition. The 26 year old Chute Boxe representative is a well timed striker using volume to overwhelm enemies.

Sityodtong's Font is also primarily a striker but he is more well rounded in the trade. Rob does struggle with his defense but he has never been stopped with strikes.

This is a tough call. Font will need to mix up his attack and keep Almeida guessing, while Thomas will need to get comfortable quickly, and let his hands, elbows, and knees go with abandon. This should be exciting but the percentages lean toward the Brazilian on the cards.

WINNER-Thomas Almeida by Decision

Prelims on FS1 (7pm/CT):

Kyle Bochniak (7-2) +105 vs. Brandon Davis (8-2) -125

There is nothing impressive about Bochniak. We'll go with the Alan Belcher student just for the sake of new blood. 

WINNER-Brandon Davis by Decision

Abdul Razak Alhassan (8-1) -210 vs. Sabah Homasi (11-7) +175 [Rematch]

In the 1st meeting, ARA dropped Homasi as the two stood toe to toe and threw leather. Sabah was furious with the controversial stoppage as he went for a takedown but the referee thought he was knocked down. MMAFO finds referee Herb Dean to be rather overrated as an official, but he was in the right here. Clearly, Homasi was out as his body went limp and he hit the ground, which woke him up allowing him to complain. At any rate, Alhassan is a good sport about things and had no issue giving the rematch.

"Judo Thunder" came into the UFC undefeated but narrowly lost a Split Decision in his 2nd outing against Omari Akhmedov, but rebounded last out against Sabah Homasi with a nice 1st round TKO. Alhassan is a helluva striker who has only been out of the opening round a single time which was his lone loss. The guys just bum rushes swinging bolos.

"The Sleek Sheik" has lost both of his UFC outings and if the MMA Gods are kind, will be dispatched quickly. If Sabah is smart, he'll employ a takedown heavy effort instead of trying to trade bombs.

It would be a travesty of justice for Abdul to lose to the man he legitimately defeated in December, but the MMA Gods are not known for being good-natured. Even so, ARA has the hands to do the damn thing again and this time leave no doubt.

WINNER-Abdul Razak Alhassan by Rd.1 TKO

Dustin Ortiz (17-7) +115 vs. Alexandre Pantoja (18-2) -135

Ortiz just can't seem to get any momentum going as he has been up and down his entire UFC career (6-5). Dusty is one of those few Flyweights that can knock opponents out with his power as demonstrated last August when he KO'd Hector Sandoval in 0:15!

"The Cannibal" has won 11 in a row (!) and is very well rounded. He's aggressive, maybe to a fault, but he brings it to you.

As inconsistent as he is, it's hard to pick against the veteran. Ortiz has seen it all and he can scramble out of the ground if need be. Pantoja isn't bad, and he could win here, but he hasn't proven enough yet to earn our pick.

Upset Pick WINNER-Dustin Ortiz by Decision

Dan Ige (8-1) +130 vs. Julio Arce (13-2) -150

"Eejay" is a move forward wrestler who has nice takedowns using knee taps, a rear waist cinch, and never gives up. The striking isn't all that impressive but he's willing to engage.

"Arse" (haha) is a boxer and wants no part of the ground game. 

So who can impose their style of combat? These men are polar opposites and either man could take the day. We're not bothered enough to go too deeply on this so take our pick with a grain of salt.

WINNER-Julio Arce by Decision

Prelims on Fight Pass (5:30pm/CT):

Matt Bessette (22-7) +195 vs. Enrique Barzola (14-3-1) -235

"The Mangler" has run off 7 in a row but he's coming off a knockout loss to Kurt Holobaugh, though the loss was overturned when it was discovered Kurt illegally rehydrated with an IV. Bessette has no takedown defense to speak of, but he's always looking to ground his opponents as well. Matt is also coming in on short notice.

"El Fuerte" trains with the Pitbull Brothers camp and is an intense and wild striker. Given Matt's willingness to fight off his back, Enrique should have multiple opportunities to work his game.

WINNER-Enrique Barzola by Decision

Islam Makhachev (14-1) -250 vs. Gleison Tibau (33-12) +210

Hey Gleison, where've you been? Oh that's right, you were suspended for two years for failing two USADA tests! Tibau is a longtime veteran who has been fighting for 18+ years in the sport, and though he tops out around 200 lbs., he somehow (see failed USADA tests) managed to cut around 45 lbs. down to Lightweight and look like a freaking monster. Hmm. How indeed. The Brazilian is known for sort of kind of decent boxing and stalwart grappling skills for 2 rounds before he completely gasses out for the final 5.

The Russian has equated himself nicely going 3-1 in the UFC with his last win being over veteran Nik Lentz. Makhachev is known for his grinding grappling skills.

This could be interesting if Tibau can make the weight limit and is near to his former self. Very big ifs. Gleison should have the advantage standing and be competitive on the ground, but based upon being a cheater, and his age, we see Islam battling through to hand the rusty Brazilian a defeat via points. 

WINNER-Islam Makhachev by Split Decision

Maryna Moroz versus Jamie Moyle was CANCELLED Wednesday when Jaime was pulled due to an undisclosed injury.