The sudden unexpected explosive bullrush with haymakers then the sudden takedown on the stunned opponent before the brutal and hellacious GnP? Or is Stipe incapable of doing so? If so, what will be his strategy? Stay moblie on outside using his great baaxing - trying to either tire him out or hurt him bad?
Fedor's speed was also a huge factor. Stipe doesn't have that. Fedor also fought his entire career, before the Werdum submission, in that manner. Stipe hasn't. I mentioned this somewhere else, but Stipe should use a similar game plan as DC did against Anthony Johnson. Close the distance, avoid the bombs and win with grappling.
Pretty much anything other than his power is an unknown - he's got some brute force submissions but that's about the extent of what he's shown. Given his experience, or lack there of if Miocic can get out of the early rounds he should almost certainly have an advantage.
No, but Rumble also has better wrestling credentials than Ngannou. I was saying Stipe's wrestling is better than Ngannou's, maybe to the degree DC's is over Johnson.
I doubt it mate. DC's wrestling and takedowns were legendary Ngannou is so damn powerful he seems murder to take down, and when he was taken down he was back up right away. He just too strong Rumble was similar in regards to power and strength, but DC's wrestling control was incredible to the degree he nullified and exhausted him That's a tough ask against Ngannou Also DC was prepared to - and did eat - Rumble Bomb on the way in
As mentioned, Stipe doesn't possess the speed that Fedor did (he was even quicker than Brock, IMHO). Stipe is way, way, WAY more economical with his output than Fedor ever was. So a bullrush is not something I can see happening, although such a strategy might just be the one needed to tame this beast. Stipe seem's to only touch people when he attempts a TD and he gets it. Same with his power. He doesn't need to land a "Oooh!" kinda punch for it to have an effect. But N'Gannou is the most physically gifted fighter Stipe has ever faced, so it will a hell of an interesting fight if Stipe can't get the TD or can't get off on his shots. This is such a great fight on paper. We really are in for a treat with this one!
You're too focused on how good of a wrestler Cormier is, and assuming Stipe has to be that good to try a similar fight plan. Ngannou doesn't have a grappling background of any kind coming into MMA, and Stipe was a NCAA Division 1 wrestler. Anthony Johnson has a wrestling background, and was good enough to get a collegiate scholarship. He just isn't nearly as good as Cormier, who excels even on the international level. I can't tell you that there is an equal gap in wrestling skill between Stipe and Ngannou, as there is in Johnson and Cormier. I can tell you that Ngannou has knocked out 6 or his last 7 opponents. Stipe will be safer in the clinch with the lesser experienced grappler than he is trading punches with him.
I don't know why people are dismissing Stipe's chances on the feet in this fight. He's the quicker and more technically savvy striker. All we've ever seen of Ngannou is a strong guy who hits really hard. Those types are a dime a dozen at HW. I remember back when Tim Sylvia was regarded in much the same way after he destroyed Ricco Rodriguez. He looks good now because all we've ever seen are the strengths, barring a quick ko I expect Stipe to expose some of his weaknesses.
Honestly I feel like N'Gannou has a massively under rated ground game. If Stipe tries to grapple I really don't think it's a sure fire way of beating Francis. His submissions are deadly. I think Stipe needs to dirty box with him, like Couture did against Belfort all those years ago. Get up close to remove the leverage, tag him with accurate shots and force him to work at a pace that his physique can't handle. I don't think he wants to be on the mat with Francis, especially early. The man is big enough to bridge and roll anyone and if he gets a grip of a wrist it could be a very quick win. I could be wrong here but I think too much is made of the Overeem ko, very few of his wins are through one punch ko type shots. N'Gannou has demonstrated strength, power and submissions, if you want to beat him you probably need to try taking him into deep water imo.
Stipe doesn't have thing chin or transition to throws if he rushes too quickly into his opponent nor the ability to fight off his back and survive with someone like that should he get put there by forcing opponents to try and take him down like Fedor did or eat aggressive style punches with a bombardment of strikes on the feet.
I don't know that anyone, including the OP, was dismissing Stipe's striking. In the context of this thread, "bull rush with haymakers", I don't think Stipe's striking style was presented. The question was if a change to Stipe's style is needed for a fight with Ngannou.
I like Stipe, I hope he wins. This fella looks an absolute beast though. I think he might power through Stipe early doors !
