Francis Ngannou Wants Stipe Miocic After Taking Out Alistair Overeem In One Round

One of the most highly anticipated heavyweights of the year takes place this Saturday when Francis Ngannou takes on Alistair Overeem at UFC 218.

The two heavyweight giants will go toe-to-toe in the Little Caesars Arena in the co-main event of one of the biggest cards of the year. The anticipation to see Ngannou fight hasn’t been lost on the world media and even five days before the fight, the Cameroonian-French heavyweight is seemingly still doing the rounds.

“I’m feeling very good right now,” Ngannou said, speaking exclusively to MMANytt.com earlier today. “I’m in LA right now doing a media day, I came here yesterday.

“I will leave tonight for Detroit. Everything has gone well. I feel very good.”

Expecting the best Overeem ever

Overeem is by far the highest ranked opponent Ngannou has ever faced, but that isn’t something he needs to be made aware of. Ngannou has a lot of respect for what Overeem brings to the table and he even thinks the Dutchman is currently in the best form of his career.

“For me every fight is the biggest one because every fight is made by the previous one,” Ngannou said. “Alistair, right now, I think he is the best striker in the UFC and maybe the world.

“He’s learned a lot as a fighter. He is very smart and has a lot of experience. He’s grown a lot. I think right now he’s at his best. The way he is fighting now, is the best we’ve seen him fight with the mind.

“He’s better than he was because he’s fighting smart and with a lot of intelligence.”

“Add that to his experience, that’s made him perform very good and it’s been leading to good performances.”

Ready for anything

A stand up war between two of the heaviest hitters in the division makes for a mouth watering prospect, but Ngannou thinks Overeem might have other ideas.

“I think he will look to take me to the ground, but first I think he will try to stand with me,” Ngannou said. “Striking is best zone and where he feels the most comfortable. I think he will strike with me, but then I think he will try the takedown. He’s a striker though, so first he will do what is natural.

“It doesn’t matter where the fight is going though, I feel comfortable everywhere. I’m ready for everything.”

A quick night of work

When asked for his prediction for the fight, Ngannou kept it short and concise. With his last three fights ending inside five-minutes, it’s probably not worth betting against him.

“Knockout, first round,” Ngannou said. “That’s how I would like it to happen.

“I wouldn’t say it if didn’t think it will happen… first round.”

Striving for gold

While Overeem is the man on his mind this week, Ngannou wants to make it perfectly clear that it’s UFC gold he’s ultimately after. If he wins the way he intends on Saturday night, a showdown with the champion Stipe Miocic is a very likely possibility.

“The title is what I want next,” Ngannou said. “I haven’t talked to the UFC about it, but it’s a fact. It’s like, at the point I am now, even before now, I’ve been ready.

“It’s all about the gold. Anytime, anywhere, it doesn’t matter.”

“I just want the title. All that interests me is the gold. It’s not when or where. Just the title.”