UFC fighters give predictions for Miocic-Ngannou

In anticipation of Saturday's UFC 260 main event between heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou in Las Vegas, theScore asked more than two dozen UFC fighters for their predictions.

(Responses have been lightly edited for clarity.)

Curtis Blaydes, heavyweight: I'm going with Stipe. His game plan was solid and effective last fight, and I see no reason for him to change anything up going into this fight. Plus, I still believe Francis isn't competent enough in his grappling defense to stop Stipe.

Stephen Thompson, welterweight: I got Stipe. I believe he can do the same thing he did last fight. Obviously, Francis has gotten a lot better, but so has Stipe. His ability to adapt during a fight is amazing. I think he can use the clinch and wrestling tactics against Ngannou.

Cody Garbrandt, former bantamweight champion: Miocic.

Gilbert Burns, welterweight: I don't know. I think Ngannou.

Rob Font, bantamweight: I'm going to go with Stipe. I think he'll keep it smart - box and wrestle him during the first two rounds. And then, after a little bit too much pressure for Francis, Stipe will eventually find the finish.

Beneil Dariush, lightweight: Miocic by unanimous decision.

Josh Emmett, featherweight: Such a tough fight to predict, but I think everyone will agree with me on how both men could win. Both guys have been doing great and constantly improving and looking better in each fight. If Miocic can get it to the cage, dirty box, and take Ngannou down and make him carry his weight for a few rounds, he can possibly start to tire him out. That will make it easier to land takedowns and keep Ngannou on the ground in the later rounds.

If Ngannou can stuff some takedowns and get back to his feet relatively easily and keep the fight standing, I think he has a huge chance of catching Miocic in the early rounds. He's too powerful. I'm excited for the fight and am a fan of both fighters.

Shane Burgos, featherweight: I have to go with the champ based on the first fight. Ngannou has definitely made improvements since then, but it's hard to pick against the longest-reigning heavyweight champion in UFC history, especially when he already has a win over the challenger.

Jimmie Rivera, bantamweight: I got Stipe coming with the win. He has to weather the storm for the first round or two, but I think he'll come back after that.

Brian Kelleher, bantamweight: This rematch is going to be amazing. In the first fight, Stipe used his wrestling really well. He honestly fought the perfect performance. If he's not perfect in there with Ngannou, I think he's in trouble. If Ngannou touches you once or twice, you're probably going down. And Stipe's taken some shots in his career. He's definitely a smart fighter. His boxing looked really good in the Daniel Cormier fight the second time they fought.

If Miocic can stay smart and mix up the boxing and the wrestling, put heavy pressure on Ngannou, back him up, keep him on his back foot, press him against the cage, and make sure he doesn't really fight him out in space where Ngannou can touch him up and maybe catch something big, then he'll win.

Ngannou has definitely worked on his game. I think his cardio has improved a lot since that first fight. Obviously, his experience and dealing with a loss like that has helped him a lot. He's been taking guys' heads off. I can't wait to see this fight. I think Stipe is going to stay the champ. I think he's going to fight smart again and utilize a lot of wrestling and level changes and cage control. Stipe by decision.

Drakkar Klose, lightweight: I like both guys, but I think Miocic is going to win. He's more technical, and Ngannou's only chance of winning is in the first round with a big haymaker.

Cody Stamann, bantamweight: I'm a big fan of both of these guys, but I have to go with my teammate Ngannou. He's consistently been putting in a ton of work for months, and I think he's fixed a lot of the holes in his game going into this rematch. Stipe is always game, but when you have someone who can shut your lights off at any point during a fight, it's hard to bet against that guy.

Walt Harris, heavyweight: Ngannou by second-round TKO.

Mirsad Bektic, featherweight: I got Miocic by fourth-round TKO.

Sam Alvey, middleweight: I'm taking Ngannou with a knockout early on. Round 1 or 2.

Eryk Anders, middleweight: Francis by knockout.

Alexander Hernandez, lightweight: Miocic by decision.

Andre Fili, featherweight: Stipe's wrestling helps him get the win again, I think.

Gerald Meerschaert, middleweight: I've got Miocic. They're fighting in a 25-foot cage, and that will give Francis less space, and therefore less time to do what he does best. That said, it reminds me of a quote from Deontay Wilder when he fought Tyson Fury. He basically said, "He has to be perfect for 30 minutes; I have to be perfect for five seconds."

Ode Osbourne, bantamweight: Stipe versus Ngannou is an interesting matchup. Ngannou has deadly raw power and can knock out Stipe with one punch. He needs to stay in Stipe's face but not get too close that Stipe clinches him or takes him down. A key factor for Ngannou will be using high volume - for example, four- and five-punch combinations. If Ngannou can stay in Stipe's face with high volume for a long period of time, he eventually will catch Stipe and finish him.

Stipe, on the other hand, needs to stay outside of Ngannou's power by using his footwork to create angles. If he creates enough angles on the outside, it takes away from Ngannou's power. A fighter can only throw at maximum power on a straight line, so Stipe needs to be constantly circling to the right and left while being outside Ngannou's reach. Stipe needs to use angles to slowly pick him apart. He needs to do the opposite and throw less volume because you don't want to get into a brawl with a guy like Ngannou. He's way too powerful to risk taking even one punch.

The next best thing is smothering Ngannou by either clinching him or taking him down. Stipe can take him down because he has a high-level wrestling background. If he takes him down each round, eventually it will tire Ngannou, which takes the power away from his hands. I have to give the fight to Stipe. His fight IQ is way too high to stand and bang with Ngannou.

Devonte Smith, lightweight: I believe it's going to be either who wants it more or who knocks out who first. Stipe has amazing boxing, but Ngannou just hits way too hard and has improved from the previous fight.

Christos Giagos, lightweight: I say Ngannou because I feel he will be more confident.

Zak Cummings, middleweight: I think Stipe controls the wrestling again and grinds out a decision.

Rick Glenn, lightweight: Miocic winning via TKO.

Tristan Connelly, lightweight: Ngannou will take it this time.

KB Bhullar, middleweight: I will predict Miocic by decision.

Tanner Boser, heavyweight: Ngannou.

Ian Heinisch, middleweight: Miocic.

Jesse Ronson, lightweight: Ngannou by knockout.

Jamie Pickett, middleweight: Ngannou.

• Fighters picking Miocic: 18
• Fighters picking Ngannou: 10
• Fighters undecided: 2