New FSM Essential Recap: UFC 270
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UFC 270 saw one fight where a champion retained his title but a new champion was crowned in another.
The first pay-per-view of the year for the UFC ended with two excellent championship fights.
The main event featured a heavyweight showdown between Francis Ngannou and challenger Cyril Gane who was looking to make his first title defense a successful one.
Ngannou (17-3 12 KOs) outmatched and outlasted his challenger and won via unanimous decision. Many expected one of these outstanding heavyweights to put the other to sleep, but Ngannou showed improvement with a more well-rounded game plan utilizing wrestling moves to grind out a win.
In what started as the two feeling out each other in the standup department, Gane used his mobility and kicks to keep the champ at bay at times. Ngannou was looking to press the action forward and chase down his opponent in hopes of landing a big knockout. But Gane showed excellent poise and didn’t allow his predator to land any significant strikes. Instead, the challenger used an array of kicks to keep his distance without being in the heat of danger. Ngannou, coming off an injury in his last match, was instructed by his corner to stop chasing his opponent, close the distance, and grapple.
Once Ngannou got close and grabbed ahold of Gane, he was able to land several successful takedowns, which surprised everyone, including Gane, who was not expecting this sort of attack from the heavy hitter. With a new weapon added to his arsenal, Ngannou was able to take control of the match as he was dictating where the action took place. Takedown, ground control, and “ground and pound” gave the champion the edge he needed to come out victorious in his first title defense.
Ngannou has made it clear he is not happy with his contract with the UFC and will not fight if he and the company cannot reach terms. One of the conditions he wants in his new deal is the option to have a boxing match or two. The champ has expressed interest in doing so, even exchanging trash talk with heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury. With Conor McGregor being able to box against Floyd Mayweather and the addition of other former champions stepping into the square circle, Ngannou wants the chance to test his worthiness as a boxer as well.
The co-main had a trilogy bout come to an end… or did it?
The co-main event saw Deiveson Figueiredo (21-2) recapture his flyweight title from Brandon Moreno (19-6) via decision once again, keeping him the king of the mountain at 125lbs.
This was the third time these gladiators shared the octagon. Knowing each other so well, they took time to feel each other out. Figueiredo was able to move ahead as he landed more combinations and more brutal strikes. Moreno kept things close as he started to find his range and kept the action going back and forth.
In a close battle, judges saw it favor the Brazilian as he was named the champion once again. The two are now 1-1-1 against each other. Although it was a trilogy, considering how evenly matched they are, might we see a fourth bout between the two in the future? We can only hope.
Another excellent fight card is in the books as the UFC continues to entertain fantastic showings one after the other. Whether we are watching champions, former champions, title contenders, or up and comers, the UFC will continue to give us entertaining events to enjoy.
Be sure to check out franchisesportsmedia.com for all your latest in MMA, Las Vegas sports news, events, previews, recaps, and my weekly show, Kalani’s Corner.
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-Kalani Lua – Franchise Sports Media
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