Stipe Miocic will again defend his heavyweight championship against Francis Ngannou this weekend, as the pair headline UFC 260 at the promotion’s Apex institute in Las Vegas.
In January 2018, Ngannou entered his title fight with Miocic on the back of four straight first-round knockouts, but the champion dominated the French-Cameroonian over five rounds, outwrestling his challenger to earn a unanimous decision victory – 50-44 on all three judges’ scorecards.
Three years on, Ngannou (15-3) again challenges Miocic (20-3) with four consecutive first-round KOs leading into the bout, begging the question: What has changed?
Will the power puncher again fail to land the finishing blow on American Miocic? Has Ngannou improved his cardio and wrestling enough since the pair’s last meeting to avoid the same outcome?
We’ll find out at UFC 260 this Saturday. Here’s everything you need to know about the event.
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When is it?
UFC 260 takes place this Saturday night at the UFC’s Apex institute in Las Vegas.
What time does it start?
The early prelims will begin at 11.30pm UK time on Saturday evening. The prelims will follow at 1am UK time on Sunday morning, before the main card begins at 3am.
How can I watch it?
In the UK, fans can watch the prelims and main card on BT Sport, while US viewers can stream both on ESPN+. The early prelims will air on UFC Fight Pass.
What are the odds?
Miocic: 11/10
Ngannou: 8/11
Prediction
This is one of the most difficult fight predictions in recent memory. The closest The Independent is getting to a prediction is this fight breakdown.
Full card
Main card
Stipe Miocic (C) vs Francis Ngannou – heavyweight
Tyron Woodley vs Vicente Luque – welterweight
O’Malley def. Almeida via third-round KO (ground strike, 3:52)
Maverick def. Robertson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Mullarkey def. Worthy via first-round KO (punch, 0:46)
Prelims
Alonzo Menifield def. Fabio Cherant via first-round submission (Von Flue choke, 1:11)
Abubakar Nurmagomedov def. Jared Gooden via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Modestas Bukauskas via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Omar Morales def. Shane Young via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Early prelims
Marc-Andre Barriault def. Abu Azaitar via third-round TKO (punches, 4:56)
