Ngannou TKOs Velasquez in twenty-six seconds
The main event of the UFC’s debut on network ESPN featured a heavyweight bout between former champion Cain Velasquez and top contender Francis Ngannou.
The main event of the UFC’s debut on network ESPN featured a heavyweight bout between former champion Cain Velasquez and top contender Francis Ngannou. Velasquez has been out of the Octagon for nearly two and half years with his last bout a victory over Travis Browne at UFC 200 in July of 2016. In that time, Ngannou has risen through the ranks to become a top contender; Ngannou has fought six times in Velasquez’s abscence with a 4-2 record.
In Nov. 2011, Cain Velasquez lost the first ever UFC fight on the FOX network in a 64-second knockout by Junior dos Santos.
In Feb. 2019, Velasquez headlined the first-ever main card on linear ESPN cable, and once again, things went south fast. Velasquez’s left knee gave out in the middle of a Francis Ngannou flurry, leading to an Ngannou knockout victory over the two-time former UFC heavyweight titleholder in just 26 seconds at UFC Phoenix on Sunday night.
I was super ready for this fight, I came in her super calm and relaxed, Velaquez said. This is why this sport is so great, you never know what could happen at what time. I wish I could give you guys more. I’m sorry for this.
source: mmafighting.com
Official Result: Francis Ngannou defeated Cain Velasquez by TKO (Strikes, Round 1, 0:26)
WOW!@Francis_Ngannou gets it done in Arizona! #UFCPhoenix pic.twitter.com/xGF4ziuAZA
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2019
Play-By-Play
Round 1: After final instructions from Jason Herzog, the fighters touch gloves and get under way. Velasquez starts with a left high kick that lands and then another that misses. After moving around a little the fighters engage and Ngannou landed a one two combo down the middle and as Velasquez tried for a takedown his knee popped sending him crashing to the mat. A few follow-up punches from Ngannou and the fight is over.
Social Timeline
GET TO ESPN NOW! #UFCPhoenix pic.twitter.com/GSmbd6HyC4
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2019
He's a BAD man and he's here to ruin the party.@Francis_Ngannou #UFCPhoenix pic.twitter.com/TYkNIwFFoc
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2019
Ladies and gentleman…@CainMMA has returned! #UFCPhoenix pic.twitter.com/F6aZLEExkm
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2019