Alistair Overeem V Francis Ngannou Preview : Who will become the number one contender?

Last Updated : 26th November, 2017 By Alex M

VENUE

Little Caesars Arena

TIME

02:00

BROADCAST

BT Sport

See Stats

This is one of the most intriguing matchups the heavyweight division of the UFC has seen in recent memory. Francis Ngannou is an up-and-coming heavyweight that, although he is 31-years-old has only fought 11 times totalling 16 rounds. Alistair Overeem is a former champion with Strikeforce and K-1, but he has never managed to claim the top prize in the UFC. Whichever man wins this bout will have a direct line to Stipe Miocic and the heavyweight title.

Odds of 9/1 are available with Paddy Power for Overeem to win via submission (£20 free bet)

The Reem

The Demolition Man was born in Hounslow, England, and at 37-years-old, he has pretty much seen it all. He holds career-highlight victories over Andrei Arlovski, Frank Mir, Brock Lesnar, Junior dos Santos, two victories over Vitor Belfort, along with two victories over Fabricio Werdum - all of whom have been UFC heavyweight champions. However, when he had his chance against Miocic in September of 2016 he was knocked out in the first round despite dropping the champion early. Comeback victories over Werdum and Lesnar's last victim Mark Hunt have catapulted him to the number one contender slot, but with the rampant Ngannou also deserving of a shot at the champ, they will now fight for the right. Overeem has a nice split of 19 victories via KO and 19 via submission, but of his 15 defeats, 10 have come via KO and against the fiercest puncher in the UFC today, that does not make good reading for the Brit-turned Dutchman.

Get odds of 15/8 with William Hill for Overeem to win (£30 free bet)

The Predator

Believe it or not, the Cameroonian heavyweight fighting out of France does have one loss on his C.V; a unanimous decision loss in just his second ever fight back in 2013. Ngannou is 6'6" and has a four-inch reach advantage over the Reem and those tools have been absolutely devastating in the UFC. Although four of his last five victories have been as a result of a punch, he did lock on the kimura to defeat Anthony Hamilton and has a few submission victories to his name. He, like Overeem, also holds a victory over Andrei Arlovski and that was in actual fact his last outing back in January. In the build-up to the Overeem fight, he set the record for highest punching power ever measured at 129,161 units. He broke the previous record set by kickboxing champ Tyrone Spong which was at 114,000 units and his last three fights have ended in the first round.

Betfair are offering odds of 4/9 for Ngannou to win (£100 free bet)

FREEbets.org.uk Prediction

Overeem is undoubtedly Ngannou's toughest test to date, but his puching power is no joke. Considering Overeem has been known to have a relatively weak chin and history tells us he can be knocked out, it's hard to see how he will repress Ngannou.

Odds of 8/13 are available with Betfair for Ngannou to win via KO or TKO (£100 free bet)