“He Has to Take a Step Back”- Francis Ngannou Dismisses Jairzinho Rozenstruik

UFC 249 strikes again, and it’s not all good, for Jairzinho Rozenstruik at least. It took 20 seconds for fans, fighters, and Bigi Boy himself to realize he had bitten off more than he could swallow. However, the fight could not turn out any better for Francis Ngannou.

It did not take Ngannou to teach his opponent a valuable lesson(20 seconds). There’s not much to analyze in a fight that lasted 20 seconds.

However, as far as key takeaways are concerned, both fighters undoubtedly have several. Francis Ngannou for one has dropped the hammer on the Surinamese fighter, and his mindset coming into the fight.

Following his win over Alistair Overeem, Rozenstruik went on to call Ngannou out for a fight. However, The Predator admits that his opponent had no idea what he was in for.

“When I heard he called me out, I knew that he didn’t know what he’s doing. He has a lot of potential, but I think he has to take a step back and then get ready before fighting against someone like me,” said Francis Ngannou in his post-fight interview.

Ngannou previously admitted that before Rozenstruik called him out, Ngannou was oblivious to his existence. However, Ngannou is aware now, the only difference? Bigi Boy will be nothing more than a passing memory in Ngannou’s mind.

Francis Ngannou on a roll

The mammoth heavyweight has just scored his fourth consecutive fourth-round victory by absolutely demolishing his opponent with the two sledgehammers he calls hands.

What’s interesting is that Ngannou has only spent 2:42 seconds in the octagon across his last 4 fights, as he adds to his run of early finishes against Curtis Blaydes(:45), Cain Velasquez(:26) and Junior dos Santos(1:11). If that does not earn Ngannou his next shot at the title, I don’t think anything will.

The fight marks Ngannou’s 15th win. However, Rozenstruik walked into the octagon with a spotless record and was forced to walk out with the first loss of his MMA career.

Ngannou’s only loss has come against the reigning champion, Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis. However, one must concede that the loss to Stipe was a lackluster performance, resembling that of a fighter who lacks confidence. However, other than power, the only thing Ngannou has abundantly is confidence.

Ngannou was hoping to earn the interim title following his fight against Rozenstruik. However, the UFC reportedly declined the 33-year-old fighter’s request.

The final edition of a trilogy fight between Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic sometime this year is preventing Ngannou from moving up the ladder. The only way Ngannou gets his shot is if DC and Stipe hash it out soon.

Till then, a potential interim title could keep Ngannou at bay.

Do you think Ngannou should be fighting Stipe for the title soon?