This weekend both the UFC and Bellator, the number one and two global mixed martial arts organizations, host blockbuster main event heavyweight bouts that will decide which organization is delivering the best fights in the division.
Since the advent of free agency in MMA, Bellator has wasted no time in scooping up former UFC stars and rebranding them within the Viacom-owned promotion. With the heavyweight division on fire in boxing, MMA has also been boosting the big men and providing an amazing array of bouts featuring the juggernauts of the game.
Bellator Countdown Episode 1
The countdown to #Bellator192 is on. We follow Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Chael Sonnen as they prepare to kick the Heavyweight World Grand Prix in the first of our 3-part #BellatorCountdown digital series! #Bellator192 | SATURDAY, January 20th, 2018 | The Forum | Inglewood, CA.
This Saturday, the two organizations go head-to-head as Bellator kicks off its new home on the Paramount Network with the first bout of the Heavyweight Grand Prix. Former champion, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson meets the original MMA trash-talker, Chael Sonnen, in headlining action from The Forum in Los Angeles.
On the opposite coast at the TD Garden Arena in Boston, UFC 220 features heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic defending his title against the new danger in the division, Francis “The Predator” Ngannou (11-1). The Cameroonian-French fighter has been on a KO spree, dropping seven of his last opponents and submitting the rest.
UFC 220 Free Fight: Francis Ngannou vs Alistair Overeem
Francis Ngannou climbed up the UFC heavyweight ranks quickly capped of with the knockout of the year of Alistair Overeem at UFC 218. Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic is the last hurdle for Ngannou at UFC 220 on Saturday, January 20 live on Pay-Per-View.
His dominant performance over Alistair Overeem at UFC 218 in December was monumental as “The Reem” received the wrong end of a vicious highlight-worthy uppercut that took him out in the first round.
UFC 220: Francis Ngannou – This Fight Will End in Two Rounds
Before one of the biggest heavyweight title fights at UFC 220, hear from the challenger, Francis Ngannou. Subscribe to get all the latest UFC content: http://bit.ly/2uJRzRR Experience UFC live with UFC FIGHT PASS, the digital subscription service of the UFC.
Miocic has KO’d his last five opponents and destroyed Fabricio Werdum to win the title at UFC 198 back in May of 2016. The Cleveland firefighter has captured the hearts of Americans with his rags to riches journey and every-man persona. With Ngannou gaining a considerable fan base from his performance and fan-friendly demeanor, this definitely is one to watch and worth the pay-per-view price with Daniel Cormier also defending the title he wrested from Jon Jones after Jones tested positive for a banned substance.
UFC 220: Daniel Cormier – I Need to Make a Statement Against Volkan
Light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is ready to make a statement when he faces off against Volkan Oezdemir in the co-main event of UFC 220 on Saturday, live on Pay-Per-View. Subscribe to get all the latest UFC content: http://bit.ly/2uJRzRR Experience UFC live with UFC FIGHT PASS, the digital subscription service of the UFC.
Still, with the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix boasting notable match-ups like Fedor vs. Frank Mir, Roy Nelson vs. Matt Mitrione and King Mo vs. Ryan Bader, the Rampage vs Sonnen bout will definitely be worth the watch if Jackson reverts to his signature 52 blocks style defense and come-ahead stand up striking. Undoubtedly, Sonnen will use a wrestling heavy offensive strategy, but the trash talk alone will be epic.
When MMA organizations compete, the true winners are the fans. And this weekend will prove why MMA is the combat sporting choice of most millenials and winning over converts, in laymen and diehard boxing fans, daily.
