PHOENIX – Francis Ngannou (13-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) is back, if his quick win over Cain Velasquez (14-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) is any indication.
Ngannou needed just 26 seconds to win the heavyweight headliner of today’s UFC on ESPN 1 event at Talking Stick Resort Arena. It aired on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+ and ESPN.
Ngannou took the center to start, with Velasquez moving laterally and opening up with a few surprising head kicks. Ngannou evaded the shots with little issue as he patiently waited for his turn to strike. That came in the form of a left as Velasquez tried to shoot, and an uppercut inside landed clean shortly after. Velasquez was wobbled, and he eventually toppled to the floor in wild fashion, legs split wide as he knee seemed to buckle, following another punch inside. Ngannou then unleashed a barrage of hammerfists that brought an end to the fight in rapid fashion less than 30 seconds after it began.
“First, I want to say thank you to the, fans, the event and ESPN,” Ngannou said after the win. “I want to dedicate this win to my aunt, who passed away earlier. I promise you guys, I’m back, as I said before, I’m back. You will see me a lot – I hope you enjoyed it.
“I’ve been waiting for this fight for three years. I wanted to prove myself against someone like Cain, and I’m glad I had the opportunity.”
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 1 results include:
- Francis Ngannou def. Cain Velasquez via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:26
- Paul Felder def. James Vick via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Cynthia Calvillo def. Cortney Casey via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Kron Gracie def. Alex Caceres via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:06
- Vicente Luque def. Bryan Barberena via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:54
- Andre Fili def. Myles Jury via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Aljamain Sterling def. Jimmie Rivera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Manny Bermudez def. Benito Lopez via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 1, 3:09
- Andrea Lee def. Ashlee Evans-Smith via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Nik Lentz def. Scott Holtzman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Luke Sanders def. Renan Barao via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:01
- Emily Whitmire def. Aleksandra Albu via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:01
For complete coverage of UFC on ESPN 1, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
