MMA Preview – Francis Ngannou vs Ciryl Gane at UFC 270
FRANCIS NGANNOU VS CIRYL GANE FACTS
When is UFC 270? Sunday 23rd December, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 270? Honda Center, Anaheim, California (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 270? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 270
What channel is UFC 270 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 270? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
FRANCIS NGANNOU VS CIRYL GANE LOWDOWN
The most dangerous man in MMA, Francis Ngannou (16-3) finally makes the first defence of his heavyweight title. It is a shame that he butts heads with the UFC with negotiations as he has the attributes to attract fans from all sports. His dominant loss to Stipe Miocic in his first title fight was a humbling experience and that scarring carried over to his lacklustre fight with Derrick Lewis. However, they have proved to be valuable lessons as he got back to what got him to the dance by just letting his hands fly. He has gone on to bury Curtis Blaydes (2018), Cain Velasquez (2019), Junior dos Santos (2019), Jairzinho Rozenstruik (2020) and won the strap in his most impressive performance and patient performance against Miocic where he stifled the takedown and pounced on an opportunity that came in the second round.
Cyril Gane (10-0) has emerged as his first contender as the interim champion although he only has that title because the UFC were being petty. That said, Gane is the clear number one contender. He has looked immaculate in the UFC displaying all the skills in the book. He breezed past Raphael Pessoa (2019), Don’Tale Mayes (2019) and Tanner Boser (2019). He stepped up a level knocking out the former champion dos Santos (2020) and then outpointed Rozenstruik (2021) and Alexander Volkov (2021) before capping off a perfect year by putting a beating on Lewis and finishing him in the third round.
FRANCIS NGANNOU VS CIRYL GANE PREDICTION
Gane is a better fighter in ever area. He arguably has the best movement we have ever seen from a heavyweight complimented by his clinch work and grappling game. He is extremely fluid and technical in everything he does, and we are picking him to dethrone the most dangerous man in MMA.
You can never back against Ngannou with any certainty simply because he possesses nuclear power in his hands. We all know by now that he does not even have to land clean to put someone to sleep so if Gane does pull off the win, he needs to be laser focused at every range.
Gane has the footwork to run rings around Ngannou, popping in and out of range pumping him with his jab and straight left and firing off leg kicks and head kicks while switching stances. Gane also has the power to subdue Ngannou in his clinch.
However, one punch would prevent all of that so the question is whether Gane can avoid it. The closest fighter to Ngannou is Lewis but Gane put on a clinic against him. He read every bomb that came his way and broke him down with his kicks, jab and clinch until he wilted.
Ngannou has not had enough cage time, but he put on a perfect performance against Miocic. Gane will expect an even better version which will force him to be patient. Ngannou shrugged off the takedown attempt from Miocic but that is because he was fresh.
Gane has the skill and speed to break him down on the feet for a round or two and the cardio to drain him further in clinch later in the fight. We expect him to make Ngannou wilt like he did to Lewis and finish him in the championship rounds. Depending on how depleted Ngannou gets, he may even submit him.
If Ngannou remians the underdog, a knockout bet is a no brainer, but our MMA brain tells us Gane should take this.
Prediction: Gane via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Ngannou via KO/TKO
