Francis Ngannou believes UFC wants him to beat Alistair Overeem, fight for title

DETROIT – Francis Ngannoubelieves he has the support of the UFC brass going into Saturday’s heavyweight title eliminator with Alistair Overeem at UFC 218.

Ngannou (10-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC), who meets Overeem (43-15 MMA, 8-4 UFC) in the UFC 218 pay-per-view co-headliner at Little Caesars Arena following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass, is one of the few legitimate contenders who has yet to challenge current heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic (17-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC).

Overeem lost to Miocic by first-round knockout at UFC 203 just 14 months ago, and Ngannou believes there’s little interest in a second fight. He believes the UFC would prefer him to win, and he said there’s no doubt he would deserve a crack at the gold after beating Overeem.

“Not just because (I’m a fresh contender), because I deserve it,” Ngannou said at today’s UFC 218 open workouts. “I’m contender No. 4, and Alistair is contender No. 1. After I beat him, what should be my ranking? Probably No. 1. Then I’ll get right to the title shot. I’m on five straight wins, and this one will be my sixth.

“I’m the contender who hasn’t fought,” he continued. “Ahead of me are Cain Velasquez, Fabricio Werdum and Alistair Overeem. Fabricio Werdum and Alistair Overeem already fought and loss to Miocic. Cain has an injury. I’m the right one. After I beat Alistair Overeem I will be contender No. 1.”

After a more than 10-month layoff following his knockout of Andrei Arlovski at UFC on FOX 23 in January, Ngannou is itching to get back in the octagon. For a fighter who has been professional for just over four years, Ngannou has the talent to make tremendous strides between fights.

Not only is Ngannou’s motivation at a height after such a long break, but he also has a lot to fight for outside the octagon.

“I think I have good motivation,” Ngannou said. “I have a lot of good people behind me. I have my personal goal, something that I grew up with. I have my background, something I don’t want to live again. I have my family back home I want to help. I have people back waiting for me that rely on me. … There are many things collected together that help me.”

As far as the actual fight goes, Ngannou believes he has many advantages against Overeem – mainly speed and power. Former Strikeforce champ Overeem has a massive experience advantage, though, having competed in combat sports for more than 20 years. Despite having fewer fights than his opponent, Ngannou said he’s not concerned.

“I’m probably the faster one with Alistair Overeem,” Ngannou said. “I believe that I am the best, and I will prove that I am the best.”

For more on UFC 218, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.