LAS VEGAS -- From most feared into best, the Francis Ngannou age has started.
Ngannou pumped out Stipe Miocic to acquire the UFC heavyweight title Saturday night in the UFC Apex. The end came at 52 minutes of the next round.
Ngannou fell Miocic using a left hand, but Miocic caught up, recovered and wobbled Ngannou temporarily with a perfect hand. Ngannou place Miocic out for great with a punch on the floor.
"The game plan was relaxed, to not hurry in any way," Ngannou explained. My team understands that that's the moment I've the very best of myself. When I am relaxed rather than hurrying."
With this title triumph, Ngannou has become predicted to combat UFC all-time good Jon Jones, who's moving up to heavyweight after controlling the light heavyweight division for the previous ten years.
Ngannou stated in his postfight news conference he desires Jones second, stating that Jones"makes the most sense for me personally," but added he'll go along with what the UFC decides.
"In my view, Jon Jones is the best ever in mixed martial arts," Ngannou stated in their own post-fight interview. "Him moving upward will be a struggle I shall take. It is going to be an excellent challenge. ... However, this time I'm the champ, he's coming up and searching for me.
UFC president Dana White stated Derrick Lewis is your struggle to create following for Ngannou, however, stated the chunk is at Jones' courtroom and if Jones wants to battle Ngannou for the name, the bout is his first. White said before this season which Jones will fight with the winner of Miocic-Ngannou.
"If I am Jon Jones and I am home watching this battle, I begin thinking of moving into [middleweight]," White said when informed of Jones' tweet. You may say you need to fight someone -- but you might not need to?"
Jones was quick to answer on Twitter, scoffing in White's suggestion he may not really wish to fight Ngannou.
"I stopped the light heavyweight division, literally gained a huge quantity of weight. And now folks are saying I am afraid?" Jones tweeted. "Everybody but me asserting that I am afraid. All I requested was to have paid."
Ngannou said having to wait for three years to avenge the loss to Miocic left Saturday's success even sweeter.
"When the travel is more, the payoff is always more appreciated," he explained. "I am convinced I'd have been happy 3 decades back, but I believe today I have another perspective about it, being pleased with my advancement as well as my battling IQ."
Coming in, Miocic was ESPN's heavyweight ranks with Ngannou in No. 2. ESPN had Miocic rated No. 3 on the planet pound-for-pound. Ngannou won the title by completing a guy who many, such as UFC president Dana White, texture is the greatest heavyweight fighter in MMA history.
Ngannou stated he does not feel the necessity to battle Miocic again, however, might reconsider based on the conditions.
"He is the best heavyweight of all time," Ngannou explained. "It is logical for me to fight him if desired."
UFC 260 happened with COVID-19 protocols in effect in the UFC Apex, a centre across from the advertising's corporate campus. The card might be the final UFC pay-per-view occasion to happen in the Apex without lovers together with the advertising going back to complete arenas starting with UFC 261 on April 24.
Ngannou (16-3) is possibly the most hazardous knockout performer in UFC history. In those previous four bouts coming to Saturday, the 34-year-old Ngannou had ceased his competitors in 72 minutes or less. He's eight first-round endings in 10 UFC wins.
Ngannou has 12 career knockout completes overall. His 10 UFC knockouts are tied to the second-most at UFC heavyweight foundation behind Lewis (12). Usman was in Ngannou's corner in UFC 260.
Miocic (20-4) is regarded by most the finest heavyweight winner in UFC history. The Ohio native, that works part time as a firefighter and EMT, gets got the strongest UFC heavyweight title defenses (4) in history, that will be double the upcoming guys in that class.
The only defeat he's not avenged in his career came from Stefan Struve at 2012.
