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Alistair Overeem has been at the top of the heavyweight pack for years now, hovering just short of a UFC title. So it tells you a lot that up and comer Francis Ngannou came into his fight with Overeem at UFC 218 a solid betting favorite over the former K-1 and Strikeforce champion. Many saw the fight as a potential changing of the guards, with Ngannou being groomed by the UFC for potential stardom. At 10-1 with a 5-0 record in the UFC, he certainly seemed poised for it.
And with a massive uppercut knockout just over a minute into the fight, you could definitely say Ngannou has arrived.
Damn what a KO!
— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) December 3, 2017
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Overeem came out fast and tied up into a clinch, obviously aware of Ngannou’s infamous power. But after a tie up against the cage led the ref to split the two, it wasn’t long before Ngannou connected with one of the biggest uppercuts we’ve ever seen in the UFC, knocking Alistair out cold and leaving him stiff on the canvas.
What’s next for Ngannou? Undoubtedly a title shot against current heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic. We haven’t heard much from the Cincinnati title holder because he’s been refusing to fight until the UFC fixes his pay. With Ngannou on deck, there may be enough money on the table for the promotion to carve Miocic out a worthy sum for this fight.
It’d be one hell of a showdown. Miocic has extremely technical striking and knockout power, but Ngannou’s KO ability is on a whole other planet. We can only hope it happens sooner rather than later.
