UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane (January 22, 2022)

[THE_LOCKSMITH]

Pay-per-view 10:00 pm ET
Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane (for Heavyweight title)
Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (for Flyweight title)
Movsar Evloev vs. Ilia Topuria
Greg Hardy vs. Aleksei Oleinik
Said Nurmagomedov vs. Cody Stamann

ESPN 8:00 pm ET
Viviane Araujo vs. Alexa Grasso
Wellington Turman vs. Rodolfo Vieira
Tony Gravely vs. Saimon Oliveira
Warlley Alves vs. Jack Della Maddalena

ESPN+ 6:15 pm ET
Poliana Botelho vs. Ji Yeon Kim
Raoni Barcelos vs. Victor Henry
Trevin Giles vs. Michael Morales
Matt Frevola vs. Genaro Valdez
Kay Hansen vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius

[Sanity Check]

This gon b gd

[Sanity Check]

Movsar Evloev out

https://twitter.com/Topuriailia/status/1481051462281142279

[TheLastOlympian7]

cant wait to lose it all on Gane, going down with that ship

[Thrilla]

[GunShard]

Let's gamba.

[hankcream]

Grabbed an early 1unit parlay Francis & Figueiredo +425

[Sanity Check]

Conor made $100 million boxing Floyd.

And still fights in the UFC because he makes more money in the UFC, than he would in boxing.


(Some of Conor's UFC fights brought in $50 million.)

...


Francis Ngannou thinks he can buck the trend and do better in boxing than he does in the UFC.

Can he do it? What do people think?

[Thrilla]

Wait what they made Moreno the clear favorite? I was expecting something like +110ish here so yeah Figueiredo at +155 is a no-brainer

[Sanity Check]

Curious to know how much the weight cut affected Figueiredo in the 2nd fight.

And whether Figueiredo fixed whatever issues he had.

[THE_LOCKSMITH]

money keeps coming in on Gane, and with the contract issue it could be one and done for Ngannou after winning the title....

[magpie878]

That's definitely my worry with Ngannou.

I will never bet against him. But he's got some major distractions going on.. can he focus?

And good Lord, a points-fighting heavyweight champion would be awful.

[Brandt Moat]

After the fight with Lewis, I said I would never bet on Ngannou.What a pucie performance. I never have bet a frenchie in a combat sport! (40+ years) I pass on these two over hyped Hvwts. Stipe is getting shutout by the organization. I have family that has rolled with him. He speaks out AGAINST UFC. They hate him and he hates them! The fighters get squat from those Jews! I guess to be safe I should say fat azz Jews. Because you can kill fat azzes on here and nobody says a word.lol

[Unwritten Law]

Fig supposedly training at Fight Ready camp in AZ with Cejudo and I think Korean Zombie will be heading there soon for his fight against Volk. I think Fig can win if he learns to control the pace.

[hankcream]

Francis may get a decent payday if he has a boxing type fight with Fury, but he won't have anywhere near the endorsement opportunities he has and will have if he resigns with the UFC. I watched the embedded series they have on Fight Pass and he's doing appearances all over Vegas and he bought what looks like a 10 million dollar mansion up in the mountains, so I think he does ok despite the low payouts he gets from fights. His management team has to look at the whole picture of what the UFC provides for him.

[JIBBBY]

Prelim write ups MMAMANIA -




135 lbs.: Tony Gravely vs. Saimon Oliveira

Tony Gravely (21-7) — a former CES champion and Contender Series graduate — racked up two post-fight bonuses during his 2-1 Octagon start. He looked poised to make it three against Nate Maness, but suffered a comeback knockout loss midway through the second round.
Though the taller of the two by an inch, he gives up three inches of reach.
Saimon Oliveira (18-3) brought a 9-1 run into the Contender Series, where he squared off with late replacement Jose Alday. Though he was forced to make a rare trip to the scorecards, a combination of heavy punches and regular takedowns earned him both a split decision and a UFC contract.
His 16 finishes are split 11/5 between submissions and knockouts.
Like many of his fights, this one boils down to Gravely’s cardio. Oliveira’s takedown defense let him down badly in his most recent loss to Ary Farias, and it wasn’t just his overall wrestling skill; he gave Farias easy access to his hips via naked kicks and unsafe blitzes. That’s easy pickings for a wrestler of Gravely’s caliber, meaning as long as his gas tank holds up, it’s Gravely’s fight to lose.
If he slows down again, however, he’s in trouble. Oliveira is extremely difficult to finish, has solid timing with his counters, and sports a nasty guillotine, all of which could spell doom for Gravely in the deep waters. Still, the favorable style match up and Gravely’s edge in speed should let him dominate on the mat for a wide decision.
Prediction: Gravely via unanimous decision
Related
Up Next! Ngannou Battles Gane At UFC 270!

---

170 lbs.: Michael Morales vs. Trevin Giles

Michael Morales (12-0) — who debuted professionally at the age of 18 — ran through the Latin American scene to earn a spot on Contender Series in 2021. Despite entering his clash with Nikolay Veretennikov as an underdog, Morales’ wrestling and long-range striking carried him to a comfortable victory.
He’ll enjoy a five-inch reach advantage.
Trevin Giles (14-3) scored two impressive Octagon knockouts before leaving the sport for 18 months to pursue a career in law enforcement. “The Problem” is 3-3 since his return, including a recent knockout loss to Dricus Du Plessis that snapped a three-fight winning streak.
This will be his Welterweight debut after nearly eight years as a professional Middleweight.
This is a clash of burgeoning potential and unrealized potential. The 22-year-old Morales has a strong pedigree and some impressive physical gifts, but is clearly still developing. Giles, meanwhile, has underwhelmed since his hiatus, showing little of the power and fluidity that made him such a hot commodity in the first place.
The momentum absolutely favors Morales, as does the fact that Giles is trying his hand at a new weight class. Still, Morales is a bit too green and untested to earn my vote. Sharper hands allow Giles to edge out a win.
Prediction: Giles via split decision
Related
Watch ‘Countdown To UFC 270’

---

115 lbs.: Silvana Gomez Juarez vs. Vanessa Demopoulos

These two were supposed to fight last week, but it got pushed back seven days for reasons unknown. Here’s the original writeup.
Silvana Gomez Juarez (10-3) — whose only prior losses came against future UFC competitors Poliana Botelho and Ariane Lipski — rode a three-fight win streak into her short-notice UFC debut. The momentum wasn’t to last, as she succumbed to a first-round armbar from Lupita Godinez.
She replaces the injured Ashley Yoder on two months’ notice.
Vanessa Demopoulos (6-4) came up short against Cory McKenna on Contender Series, then lost her LFA title to the aforementioned Godinze her next time out. She returned to the win column by knocking out Cynthia Arceo, but couldn’t overcome J.J. Aldrich in her own short-notice Octagon debut.
She has won three professional fights via submission.
It really is heartbreaking to see someone as gutsy and technically adept as Demopoulos undone by one massive flaw. Though she’s extremely skilled on the ground and admirably aggressive on the feet, Demopoulos’ complete lack of wrestling chops force her to constantly fight in her opponents’ wheelhouses and rely on inconsistent quick-kills.
That looks to doom her once again against Juarez. The Argentinean does leave herself open to takedowns by backing up to the fence and showed some submission vulnerabilities against Godinez, but Demopoulos lacks the skills to reliably take things to the mat. This leaves her at the mercy of Juarez’s faster, more powerful striking, which figures to carry Juarez to a comfortable win.
Prediction: Juarez via unanimous decision
Related
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155 lbs.: Matt Frevola vs. Genaro Valdez

Matt Frevola (8-3-1) followed his successful Contender Series sting with a 2-1-1 Octagon start, including upset decisions over Jalin Turner and Luis Pena. He’s since dropped two straight, notably suffering a seven-second knockout loss to Terrance McKinney last time out.
“Steamrolla” faces a one-inch reach disadvantage.
Genaro Valdez (10-0) cut his teeth in Combate, UWC, and Lux Fight League en route to the Contender Series. There, he survived a rough first round to knock out Patrik White and lay claim to a UFC contract.
All of his professional wins have come inside the distance, seven of them via knockout.
Both of these gents do the exact same thing: swing from the hip until their opponents either fall over or leave themselves open to takedowns. Valdez has a significant edge in durability, as seen in the ridiculous punishment he fought through against White, and that could be the deciding factor if things get too hectic. That said, Frevola looks to hold every other card, being the superior wrestler and ostensibly the better boxer. Considering the way Valdez struggled the last time someone tested his takedown defense, Frevola can theoretically escape a brawl at any time by dragging Valdez to the mat and dominating from there.
Valdez definitely has momentum on his side, but the more experienced and polished Frevola is too tall a mountain to climb. Regular takedowns win the day for “Steamrolla.”
Prediction: Frevola via unanimous decision
Related
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125 lbs.: Kay Hansen vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius

Kay Hansen (7-4) followed her lengthy stint in Invicta by submitting Jinh Yu Frey in her UFC debut and taking home Performance of the Night. This set up a clash with fellow young prospect Cory McKenna, who snapped Hansen’s three-fight winning streak via controversial decision.
This will be her first fight in 14 months.
Jasmine Jasudavicius (6-1) went undefeated as an amateur and 4-0 as a professional before dropping a split decision to Elise Reed in a bid for Cage Fury gold. She made it to the Contender Series two fights later, defeating Julia Polastri via contract-winning decision.
She’ll have five inches of height and reach on Hansen.
I can’t say I saw the logic behind signing Jasudavisius on the heels of an underwhelming decision, and the fact that they threw her into such a toxic matchup in her debut only makes it more confusing. Jasudavicius’ preference for clinch and wrestling battles plays right into Hansen’s hands, and even if the former does elect to lean on her striking against a more effective grappler, her inability to keep the Hansen-proportioned Polastri at a distance suggests that she’ll end up in a ground battle anyway.
The Hansen of 2020 most likely dominates Jasudavicius on the mat. Imagine with the 2022 version will do.
Prediction: Hansen via first-round submission



185 lbs.: Rodolfo Vieira vs. Wellington Turman

Rodolfo Vierira’s (8-1) flawless mixed martial arts (MMA) record earned its first blemish in Feb. 2021 when a massive cardio failure allowed Anthony Hernandez to finish him with a guillotine. “The Black Belt Hunter” got back on track five months later, however, submitting Dustin Stoltzfus for his first UFC post-fight bonus.
Seven of his eight pro finishes have come by submission.
Wellington Turman (17-5) didn’t have quite the UFC start he wanted, as he dropped three of his first four Octagon bouts. Undaunted, he returned to the win column in Aug. 2021 with a narrow decision over Sam Alvey.
“The Prodigy” gives up an inch of reach to his fellow Brazilian.
With all due respect to Turman, this is definitely an extension of Vieira’s rehab tour rather than a return to contention. Turman relies largely on his physical abilities and grappling chops, both of which pale in comparison to Vieira’s. Even if he does have a slight edge on the feet, it’s hard to envision him keeping it there for long before Vieira bulldozes him to the ground and does what he does best.
I can understand Vieira and UFC brass wanting to take it slow after the Hernandez debacle, but fighting a guy who barely escaped from Sam Alvey seems overly conservative. Vieira taps him in one.
Prediction: Vieira via first-round submission
Related
Shrink Warned Franny To ‘Watch Out’ For Ex-Coach

135 lbs.: Raoni Barcelos vs. Victor Henry

Might as well use what I already had in December ...
Raoni Barcelos (16-2) entered UFC as RFA’s Featherweight champion, and he lived up to his credentials by winning his first five in the Octagon. This set up a clash with Timur Valiev, who survived a near-knockout to narrowly edge Barcelos via majority decision.
He’s knocked out eight professional foes and submitted two others.
Victor Henry (21-5) — an acolyte of the great Josh Barnett — largely made his name with impressive success on the Japanese circuit. Said success includes his current 8-1 run, which most recently saw him return to the States to choke out Albert Morales in an LXF title fight.
“La Mangosta” originally stepped in for Trevin Jones on less than two weeks’ notice last month before withdrawing because of COVID.
Even with a relatively recent loss to Denis Lavrentyev marring his record, it’s hard to argue that Henry hasn’t earned his place in the Octagon. That said, he’s screwed here. I don’t like to use the phrase “better everywhere,” but that really seems to be the case; Henry’s been touched up by lesser strikers than Barcelos, taken down by lesser wrestlers, and outmaneuvered by lesser ground artists.
The bigger question for me is whether the 34-year-old Henry will finally suffer his first stoppage loss in 11 years as a professional. Considering how many weapons the Brazilian brings to bear, it would certainly be an achievement in its own right if he managed to last the full 15 minutes. Sadly, I see Barcelos either icing him with a perfectly timed counter or pounding him out from the top.
Prediction: Barcelos via second round technical knockout
Related
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145 lbs.: Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Jourdain

Georgia’s Ilia Topuria (11-0) failed to claim the Cage Warriors Bantamweight title because of a scale fail, but nonetheless punched his ticket to the Octagon after a pair of wins in Brave CF. He now sits at 3-0 in the world’s largest MMA promotion, most recently flattening Ryan Hall in July 2021.
His 10 professional finishes include seven by submission.
“Air” Charles Jourdain (12-4-1) capped off his run in the TKO promotion by claiming both its Featherweight and Lightweight titles with impressive finishes. He’s gone 3-3-1 since, notably stopping Doo Ho Choi and Marcelo Rojo along the way.
He steps in for Movsar Evloev, who ran afoul of COVID, on little more than one week’s notice.
I — like every other red-blooded face-punching enthusiast — am a huge fan of Charles Jourdain. I love watching him fight and respect the hell out of him for facing a monster like Topuria on short notice. That doesn’t change the fact that this will end very poorly for him. Topuria has not just the wrestling to exploit Jourdain’s historically shaky takedown defense, but also the submission skills to ruin his day afterward. Even if Topuria does give Jourdain the slugfest he craves, the former’s sheer power and improving boxing craft make it somewhere around 50/50.
Outside of one of his signature flying knees landing flush, Jourdain’s avenues to victory are worryingly limited. In the end, Topuria finds his neck early.
Prediction: Topuria via first-round submission
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170 lbs.: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Pete Rodriguez

Jack Della Maddalena (10-2) went from starting his career 0-2 to winning eight straight, winning and defending the Eternal MMA Welterweight title and avenging his first-ever defeat in the process. He made his first trip to the judges on Contender Series, where he overpowered Ange Loosa to secure a UFC contract.
He’s ended nine fights in less than two rounds apiece, eight of them by knockout.
Pete Rodriguez (4-0) ended his three-year amateur career with a 7-2 record, ultimately jumping to the pro ranks in 2020. He’s thus far spent his time in Jorge Masvidal’s iKon Fighting Federation, where he’s knocked out four opponents in less than five minutes combined.
He replaces Warlley Alves on eight days’ notice.
What little footage Rodriguez has given us shows genuine power and functional boxing, but nothing that could prepare him for a bruiser of Della Maddalena’s caliber. The Aussie is crisper, exponentially more proven, and has experience going into deep waters. While “untested” doesn’t necessarily mean “incapable,” Rodriguez’s brief career just doesn’t offer anything to put faith in.
All Rodriguez has going for him is a puncher’s chance, which will diminish with worrying quickness once Della Maddalena gets his body attack going. In short, the Contender Series grad breaks Rodriguez down before the midpoint.
Prediction: Della Maddalena via second-round technical knockout

[Sanity Check]

https://www.bookmakersreview.com/forum/threads/ufc-270-breakdown-pick-for-figueiredo-vs-moreno-3.28374/#post-52945

LeMartin picks ^

[JIBBBY]

I think you gotta go with Gane. Quicker, better standup and movement, they trained together already so no fear going in for Gane, etc.

[Sanity Check]

There is a chance Ciryl Gane is a glass cannon.

He's fast and explosive. His technique is good.

He can dish it out, but can't take it.

Ngannou: I accidentally knocked Ciryl Gane out in sparring with a left high kick.

[JIBBBY]

There is a chance Ciryl Gane is a glass cannon.

He's fast and explosive. His technique is good.

He can dish it out, but can't take it.

What makes you think he can't take a punch. He's undefeated and never been dropped if I remember correctly. Hard to hit also.

https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Ciryl-Gane-293973

[Thor4140]

If Francis wins (which i dont think he will) he can name his price with Fury or Jones. You know Dana is praying he loses. If this card doesn’t draw views an i dont think it will Dana will use that to his advantage. This card actually is a two fight card and blows. Why is it when Conor fights the cards are pretty loaded which is a huge help for PPV sales but this one blows?

[Sanity Check]

What makes you think he can't take a punch. He's undefeated and never been dropped if I remember correctly. Hard to hit also.

https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Ciryl-Gane-293973

Ngannou: I accidentally knocked Ciryl Gane out in sparring with a left high kick.

[JIBBBY]

Ngannou: I accidentally knocked Ciryl Gane out in sparring with a left high kick.

Everyone can get knocked out with an accidental head kick landed solid to the head. Sounds to me like Gane didn't expect it or see it coming if indeed he got knocked out cold in sparring. It's been called an accident.

[hankcream]

Ngannou isn’t French, he’s from Cameroon so he’s a legit African American. He went to France after he escaped Cameroon but figured out that America was where he needed to be. Gane is a native Frenchie. So I need to follow Brandt’s advice and throw all of the Jewish money I can afford on Francis.

[Brandt Moat]

I lost both times i wagered on a Ngannou fight. Bet on him 1st Stipe fight. Bet against him 2nd fight. You make him work he will not win. Gane needs to keep range and pop in and out with combos. Limit leg kicks not
NOT above waist. Ngannou needs to pressure Gane. Close distance and try to tie up and tire Gane. I see a fookn track meet of a fight! A scared to death Ngannou and a Frenchie playing patty cake. I will be in Pittsburgh for the weekend and I will not waste my time handicapping this fight.GL

[JIBBBY]

Not super thrilled about this card but will bet it as I always do. Couple good fights I'm interested in. I also think it's over hyped.

[hankcream]

Might not be the greatest PPV but we do have a stripper on the card -Vanessa Demopulos. Definitely won't be betting on her and not sure I'd pay money to see her strip either.
Plus it sounds like Kay Hansen has a good Only Fans page as well, might have to check that one out.

[Demonata]

I hope more an more keep betting on Gane. I'm taking probably the two dogs in the title fights. I think those two should be pick em so grabbing the plus money.

[Sanity Check]

Everyone can get knocked out with an accidental head kick landed solid to the head. Sounds to me like Gane didn't expect it or see it coming if indeed he got knocked out cold in sparring. It's been called an accident.

Have you seen Ciryl Gane's reaction to being hit?

Maybe I'm remembering wrong here.

But didn't Alexander Volkov land 1 decent punch on Gane.

With Gane's reaction being something like... holy shit, let's not do that again.

[Allure]

I said Frenchies are notorious pucies. Ngannou is a coward. I know Francis is a pure coon. Yes, if I was to wager on a twat and a Frenchie, I would take the twat. lol

Sure big boy, Ngannou is a coward. Luckily we have real keyboard warrior men like you.

[Allure]

The odds on Moreno and Gane are ridiculous. People are questioning Francis' focus and motivation. If the guy really wants out this fight is a must win for him.
And the public is all over Moreno because he is such a nice guy, which he surely is, but not at that price.
I'm taking Figgy and Francis and one of them will win for sure, if not both, and that's are guaranteed winning day as I don't see both losing quite the opposite, I'd say both might win.

[Demonata]

Sure big boy, Ngannou is a coward. Luckily we have real keyboard warrior men like you.

Exactly! Ngannou has had one of the toughest childhoods ever and had a tough life. He was homeless and also had to work in the sand mines etc and still worked hard to achieve making the ufc. He is as tough as they come. He is the exact opposite of coward.

[RussianMike]

Exactly! Ngannou has had one of the toughest childhoods ever and had a tough life. He was homeless and also had to work in the sand mines etc and still worked hard to achieve making the ufc. He is as tough as they come. He is the exact opposite of coward.

Sure, but you can't tell me that it is not problematic how quickly new money can and probably has corrupted people like him. I absolutely hate how he is going about the paper chase so quickly in his championshiphood. May need to go and train in those mines the way rocky had to get back to the Philly hood to get back at Apollo after this fight. We will see.

[Demonata]

Sure, but you can't tell me that it is not problematic how quickly new money can and probably has corrupted people like him. I absolutely hate how he is going about the paper chase so quickly in his championshiphood. May need to go and train in those mines the way rocky had to get back to the Philly hood to get back at Apollo after this fight. We will see.

In a sport like ufc it's better to chase money early since it's such a dangerous sport imo. Never know when a bad injury ruins you.

[hankcream]

Etherum has been in the tank for a while, so took some out to throw down on this card:

10 units Ngannou + 135
2 units Figueiredo + 145
8.25 units Peirera -270
1 unit Gravely ITD +175
2.2 units Barcelos ITD -110

3 units Packers -5.5

GL violence mongers