Even before the KO, Francis Ngannou looked significantly improved.

[GearSolidMetal]

265+ lbs Ngannou -

253 lbs Ngannou -


I've rewatched the fight three times, and each time I've thought the same thing.

'253 lbs Ngannou looks significantly improved than 265 lbs Ngannou.'

And he looked much lighter than just 12 pounds, like he usually cut weight to get to 265 and weighed around 275 when walking into the octagon.

When the 1st round started he was bouncing on his feet, looking relaxed and confident, and his movement was more fluid and smooth.

Then when fight got heated (I could be wrong on this) his punches were faster and he was more balanced in his weight distribution.

Another thought - If he looks this impressive at 253, what if he gets down to 240? He could be like a Heavyweight Stylebender.

So, what say you sherdog, a few days after the fight, were you impressed with his improvements even before the KO?

*Oh, and yes, his last two performances in 2018 were facepalmingly bad. But, those with long memories remember why so many wondered if he was going to KO Stipe.
*Yes, he needs to work on his wrestling, or at the very least his takedown defense.
*Still unknown how much he's improved his endurance. Would he have been gassed at the end of the 1st Round?

 

[Deleted member 545701]

Wonder if DC will lure him into another quick and easy title defense at ufc 233

 

[NoSmilez]

He got a little fat for the stipe fight.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

Looked good. Plus. Casual fans have a short memory and this might have erased the stinkers vs Stipe and Beast....

 

[GearSolidMetal]

Looked good. Plus. Casual fans have a short memory and this might have erased the stinkers vs Stipe and Beast....

I doubt casual fans watch cards that take place in China, or cards without belts on the line.

 

[BooBoyMan]

Happy for Francis. Here's hoping he's the next HW champ after DC retires.
I used to like Stipe but he's started acting like a whiny asshole.

 

[Frode Falch]

265+ lbs Ngannou -

253 lbs Ngannou -


I've rewatched the fight three times, and each time I've thought the same thing.

'253 lbs Ngannou looks significantly improved than 265 lbs Ngannou.'

And he looked much lighter than just 12 pounds, like he usually cut weight to get to 265 and weighed around 275 when walking into the octagon.

When the 1st round started he was bouncing on his feet, looking relaxed and confident, and his movement was more fluid and smooth.

Then when fight got heated (I could be wrong on this) his punches were faster and he was more balanced in his weight distribution.

Another thought - If he looks this impressive at 253, what if he gets down to 240? He could be like a Heavyweight Stylebender.

So, what say you sherdog, a few days after the fight, were you impressed with his improvements even before the KO?

*Oh, and yes, his last two performances in 2018 were facepalmingly bad. But, those with long memories remember why so many wondered if he was going to KO Stipe.
*Yes, he needs to work on his wrestling, or at the very least his takedown defense.
*Still unknown how much he's improved his endurance. Would he have been gassed at the end of the 1st Round?

Like Israel adesanya?? Okay.. Calm down ffs..

He looked alot better. But his main tool will always powerbombs from hell.

 

[fecalpoint]

Francis NGOATnnou has arrived

 

[Jimmy Jazz]

He got his balls back.

 

[Arm Barbarian]

He was not in good shape for the Stipe fight, and it showed. He gassed the F out quick.

He pulled some dumb shit, taking off to France a couple of weeks prior to the fight, and wasn't taking his training seriously.

Stipe made him pay for it. He was STILL mentally screwed up even in his follow up fight with Black Beast, from that Miocic beatdown.

Looks to have finally gotten back on track and taking his training serious.

Will be interesting to see where he goes from here.

 

[europe1]

*Yes, he needs to work on his wrestling, or at the very least his takedown defense.

I don't think it's so much his takedown defence. It's everything around it. Stipe's jabbing, feinting, positioning -- that makes it hard for him to prevent a takedown, gives him to much to think about and react to. Curtis advanced on him without a set-up and N'gannou shook him off effortlessly.

Definitively agree that the bounciness he displayed on his feet looked good though.

 

[Stormtrooper85]

He beat a guy who made the same mistakes again and he lost weight.

Let's wait to see how much he's actually improved before trying to restart this ridiculous bandwagon

 

[MMAart]

Ngannou's footwork and speed looked great. His wrestling defense vs. Blaydes was solid. I would like to see him rematch Stipe.

 

[ignorant MMA fan]

I heard him say he cut weight for the Stipe fight. During fight week I looked back at his weigh ins and he typically weighed in @ 250-255. I was happy to see him weigh in @ 254.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

Like Israel adesanya?? Okay.. Calm down ffs..

Lol, I knew that'd get some of ya's attention.

But, in all seriousness, Ngannou is tall, long, with alot of muscle. If he wants to work on his weaknesses to become more well rounded, he needs to work on his TDD, shedding excess body weight, and planning when to use his bursts of energy and recovery - like Tyron Woodley.

If he closes up those previously exploitable weaknesses, a 240 lbs Ngannou could be a very very terrifying challenge for everyone in the division.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

I would like to see him rematch Stipe.

Stipe would need to lose some fights & Ngannou win some fights, to make that rematch marketable.

It was an entertaining fight for the hardcore MMA crowd, like us, but casuals hated it.

 

[dildos]

he looks like a duck in the first pic.

 

[BEATDOWNS]

Stipe took his soul.