Rubbermatch, so I can see him get KTFO in hilarious fashion again, full-on Charlie Chaplin style this time.
Ngannou skyrocketed into superstardom overnight. If he somehow loses focus and begin to lack, a determined Stipe might have a chance. I doubt it though.
Imagine a 145lb Champ fighting a very strong 170 lb fighter . The good big man always beats a good smaller man . Now Stipe was 234 vs a 263 lb Ngannou just shy of 30 lb weight difference and that weight was not fat but muscle and bone . Francis is a bigger , stronger fighter. I don't see a rematch ever going Stipe's way. Retirement is the smart decision
Fight Derrick Lewis or Curtis Blaydes, I still think he could beat them. Don't want to see Stipe fight Ngannou again as it would end up the same result, I don't think Stipe could take Volkov now either.
The Heavyweigh Division is weak. I think Stipe would still beat a lot of Top 15/20 guys. But i don't think he really wants to fight some bums. Stipe always was about the big fights. He should retire. He's the GOAT in the division. He can retire and ride into the sunset.
Yeah hes been around for a while now but the division is and has been trash for a while, so as well as the trilogy with Ngannou, i could see him hanging around a few years as a contender
Stipe can fight on. He'd still beat Lewis. What other contender would beat him? He should go for a rubber match with Ngannou if he wants it.
I still think he's capable of beating Nganou if he implements the right game plan. If the UFC forces him back down the ladder then he should retire.
