Ever since Francis Ngannou nearly put a 250-plus pound man into orbit with the power of his machine-record-shattering right, the push for MMA’s first Mike Tyson to be anointed its heavyweight champion started with no reservations.
The story behind the promotion of UFC 220 was about Ngannou. The champion, Stipe Miocic, was very much portrayed as the minor obstacle in the way of the inevitable next superstar of the business, the man who will carry the company while Conor McGregor is counting his money, Georges St-Pierre is trying to regain his health, and Ronda Rousey is playing celebrity headliner at WrestleMania.