Miocic dominates Ngannou, defends heavyweight title for record 3rd time

Stipe Miocic successfully defended his UFC title for the third time, breaking the heavyweight record by defeating Francis Ngannou via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 220 on Saturday.

All three judges scored the fight 50-44.

The first round was a spirited affair, with Miocic and Ngannou trying to crush each other in the first round with several knockout attempts. Miocic withstood a furious opening sequence from Ngannou before responding strongly, eventually driving his opponent to the ground twice.

Miocic took control of the fight in the second, keeping Ngannou on the ground for the vast majority of the round, eventually tiring him out.

In the third round, Ngannou almost turned the tide in a single blow, landing a ravaging punch to Miocic's face, but the champion remained undeterred. From there onward, it was a completely one-sided fight as Miocic took full advantage of a worn-out Ngannou, spending the latter half of the fourth round throwing relentless punches at his opponent, who laid on the ground.

Miocic was also exhausted by the fifth round, but the damage was done. With the victory, Miocic moved to 18-2, while Ngannou dropped to 11-2.

"I think I underestimated him a little bit. He had a very smart game plan," Ngannou said after the fight, per MMA Fighting.