Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou targetted to headline UFC 220:

A quick turn around for 'The Predator' is on the cards.

One of the most exciting Heavyweight matchups in recent memory is almost set for Boston's UFC 220 in January, as Cleveland native Stipe Miocic looks for a record setting third consecutive defence of his Heavyweight crown as he welcomes the #1 ranked, and arguably the most feared competitor in MMA today, Francis 'The Predator' Ngannou to the octagon.

Both men have amassed 11 stoppage wins between them in their previous 11 walks, with Batié born Ngannou earning his shot at UFC gold just last weekend in Detroit at UFC 218, scoring a terrifying first round left hand knockout over the most decorated Heavyweight striker of all time, Alistair 'The Reem' Overeem. Ngannou subsequently leapfrogged Overeem into pole position for a shot at Stipe, and is currently the betting favourite to take the crown from the Euclid native, a realistic prospect. Arguably the most exciting and marketable prospect in the last 10 years at Heavyweight, Ngannou also holds the world record for the hardest punch recorded at an incredible 129,161 units, surpassing the previous record of 114,000 set by Kickboxing icon Tyrone Spong. Despite Francis' ridiculous one punch stopping power and his immense physicality, any wrestling or grappling exchanges would more than likely favour Stipe. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Vinny Magalhaes was flown out for Ngannou's recent camp to combat the underrated grappling game of Overeem, so it's clear to see that the French citizen isn't purely relying on his striking as he looks to claim UFC gold.

One of the gamest and most respected men in MMA today, Stipe Miocic has established an enormous fan base since his premier title bout with Brazil's Fabrício Werdum. Flying out to 'Vai Cavalo{s}' home country to score a first round knockout, Stipe was then afforded his own hometown title fight, in a successful defence of his crown against Overeem, despite being tagged in the first, he recovered to snatch a brutal ground and pound victory. Headlining UFC 211 against former champion Junior dos Santos in the pair's second meeting, Miocic demonstrated his elite level boxing, dramatically stopping 'Cigano' in the opening five miuntes.

Stipe was clearly rocked by 'The Reem' when they met, so the question remains, if Ngannou lands clean, will Miocic fall like the rest, but also, can Ngannou deal competently with any possible grappling barrages from the Ohio champ. Phenomenal matchup. A Light Heavyweight title fight between Daniel Cormier and knockout artist Volkan Oezdemir is expected to serve as the co-main event at UFC 220.

Please like, comment and follow for daily MMA news and opinions.

Requests:markeyross198.RM@gmail.com

•Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ross_Markey

•Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RossMarkeyMMA/ - https://www.facebook.com/martialartschat/
•Check out my work with Severe MMA: http://severemma.com/author/rossmarkey/

Ross