A key heavyweight scrap between former division kingpin Cain Velasquez and former title challenger Francis Ngannou headlined tonight’s UFC Phoenix event.
Cain Velasquez returns for the first time since UFC 200 in July of 2016, where he defeated Travis Browne via first round TKO.
The former UFC heavyweight champion of the world, Velasquez, enters tonight’s contest sporting an overall record of 14-2.
Meanwhile, Francis Ngannou (12-3 MMA) was most recently seen in action at November’s UFC Fight Night event in Beijing, where he earned a first-round TKO victory over perennial division contender Curtis Blaydes.
“The Predator” has gone 7-2 since joining the UFC ranks in December of 2015. All seven of Ngannou’s UFC victories have come by way of stoppage.
Round one of the UFC Phoenix main event begins and Cain Velasquez comes out with a body kick that misses. He follows that up with a low kick. Cain misses with a high kick ad then shoots in for a takedown. Ngannou defends and lands a left hand. Cain Velasquez is hurt and goes down. Big shots from Francis Ngannou and this one is all over! Wow! What a massive win for Francis Ngannou.
Official UFC Phoenix Result: Francis Ngannou def. Cain Velasquez via knockout at 0:25 of Round 1