During the UFC’s first event in Beijing, Francis Ngannou made a strong comeback after a recent setback. In the main event at Cadillac Arena for UFC Fight Night, Curtis Blaydes faced Francis Ngannou and was defeated in just 25 seconds. Ngannou, with a record of 12-3, has lived up to his nickname of “predator” with six straight UFC victories, all ending within two rounds. However, his 2018 performances did not match his previous dominance.
Following a tough loss in a heavyweight title fight in January, the Cameroonian fighter seemed to struggle in his return over the summer, facing another defeat. However, in Saturday’s intense match, Ngannou, a fan favorite, made a notable comeback. The mood surrounding Ngannou after the victory was one of excitement and relief. “It’s been a tough road,” he said. “But hey, I’m back!”
Blaydes, with a record of 10-2, 1 NC, had remained undefeated in six consecutive fights since his loss to Ngannou in 2016. He attempted to use his wrestling skills early in the match, but Ngannou quickly landed a powerful right hand that sent Blaydes to the canvas. Despite trying to defend himself, Blaydes was unable to withstand Ngannou’s aggressive punches.
Ngannou stated that he had some unfinished business following his challenging bout with Derrick Lewis. He expressed regret over the Lewis fight, acknowledging that it was not his best performance. Ngannou remained composed during his recent battles and expressed interest in facing Alexander Volkov and Dos Santos, but ultimately called out Stipe Miocic for his next challenge.
