UFC 220 results: Stipe Miocic makes history with win over Francis Ngannou as Daniel Cormier returns to winning ways
Miocic becomes the first ever heavyweight to successfully defend his title three times after a comprehensive victory over knockout-artist Ngannou
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.History was made in Boston on Saturday evening as Stipe Miocic successfully defended his UFC heavyweight title for the third time against a brave Francis Ngannou at UFC 220.
Miocic had a big experience advantage heading into the bout, but Ngannou had looked unstoppable since entering the organisation with six wins and six finishes since his promotional debut in December 2015.
The TD Garden atmosphere was electric as the two fighters entered the Octagon and the fans were deafening as ring announcer Bruce Buffer introduced both fighters.
Ngannou was the first to strike after the opening bell as he landed a stiff kick that Miocic just managed to block with his arm. The champion then went to work looking for a takedown, but Ngannou did well to pop straight back up to his feet as soon as his back hit the mat. The Cameroonian then landed some big right hands, but Miocic took them well and he re-established the distance as Ngannou continued to rush forward throwing wild punches.
Miocic then connected with two right hands and he then successfully took Ngannou down to the mat with a double leg and worked his way into side control. Ngannou looked to be in trouble, but he somehow worked his way back to his feet and the two began to trade massive blows once again. Miocic landed another takedown as time expired on a truly great round of heavyweight fighting.
Miocic looked the much fresher fighter coming into the second round and he used his footwork to pick away with his jab at range. Ngannou was looking lethargic and slow as he plodded forward and Miocic only made things worse by chopping away at his legs. With two minutes on the clock Miocic landed a big right hand that Ngannou somehow managed to take.
Ngannou eventually closed the distance and landed a short uppercut, but Miocic responded by grabbing him at the waist and taking him down to the mat. The challenger attempted to get back up to his feet against the fence, but that only allowed Miocic to rest his full bodyweight on him as Ngannou laid on his knees carrying his weight until the end of the round.
The writing looked to be on the wall at the beginning of round three as Ngannou looked laboured getting off his stool. Miocic attempted to take him down again early on with a single leg, but this time Ngannou resisted it after a period of stalling up against the fence. Ngannou was looking increasingly tired and he was taken down to the mat yet again before time expired on the third.
The championship rounds begun with Miocic ducking under a slow right hook from Ngannou and taking him down with a single leg. With over four minutes on the clock to work, Miocic put on a relentless assault of punches and elbows as Ngannou simply turtled up on his knees. Referee Herb Dean instructed Ngannou to improve position and he attempted to by crawling to the side of the cage. Miocic simply made him carry his bodyweight again though and he peppered Ngannou with knees to the body and punches until the time for the round elapsed.
Ngannou made it out for the fifth, but he barely looked able to stand as he walked out from his corner. Miocic went looking for a takedown early on as the two slumped against the side of the cage engage in an uneventful battle of strength. After seeing a lack of action from both fighters, referee Dean broke the two apart midway through the round and Miocic set to work again behind his jab. With Ngannou in no position to throw any offense, Miocic rode out the clock by pinning him against the fence.
The crowd showed their appreciation for both fighters with a standing ovation at the final bell, but the winner was clear as day. Miocic took the scorecards 50-44 across the board as the crowd chanted "Stipe, Stipe, Stipe."
Ngannou put on a brave display in defeat, but the night belonged to Miocic as he achieved something that no other UFC heavyweight had ever done before.
Cormier runs through Oezdemir to retain his UFC light heavyweight title
In the co-main event, the UFC light heavyweight title was on the line as Daniel Cormier took on Swiss knockout artist, Volkan Oezdemir.
Cormier entered the Octagon the titleholder having been reinstated as the champion after Jon Jones tested positive for a banned substance following their fight at UFC 214. Oezdemir, was the vastly less experienced fighter with only three wins in the UFC prior to his first ever title fight on Saturday evening.
Round one began with both men swinging for the fences. Oezdemir landed some stinging rights early on that reddened the side of Cormier's face, but the champion simply continued to walk him down and he landed some huge right hands of his own to dip the challenger's legs. With 20-seconds left in the round, Cormier took Oezdemir down to the mat with a single leg and quickly took his back to sink in a rear-naked choke. With the crowd going crazy and the choke deeply applied, Oezdemir was saved by the bell and he walked back to his stool looking rattled.
In round two Cormier took Oezdemir down within the opening 20-seconds and he quickly went to work flattening him out and laying in ground and pound. The Swiss fighter did his best to wriggle free, but his predicament only furthered and Cormier worked in to the crucifix position where he laid in some savage punches and elbows before the referee called the fight off.
Cormier did exactly what he said he was going to do and showed Oezdemir he wasn't on his level in a totally dominant performance. Speaking after the bout, Cormier said that he felt relieved and that he'd proved to the world once more that he's a legitimate UFC champion.
UFC 219 Results:
Stipe Miocic def. Francis Ngannou via unanimous decision (50-45 x3)
Daniel Cormier def. Volkan Oezdemir via second-round TKO (2:00)
Calvin Kattar def. Shane Burgos via third-round TKO (0:32) (live blog)
Gian Villante def. Francimar Barroso via split decision (live blog)
Rob Font def. Thomas Almeida via second-round KO (2:24) (live
Kyle Bochniak def. Brandon Davis via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)
Abdul Razak Alhassan def. Sabah Homasi via first-round KO (3:47)
Dustin Ortiz def. Alexandre Pantoja via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Julio Arce def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Enrique Barzola def. Matt Bessette via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Islam Makhachev def. Gleison Tibau via first-round KO (0:57)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments