Who Should Francis Ngannou Fight Next?

The heavyweight division is doing spectacularly well. With a roster of powerful fighters and dangerous potentials, this is definitely a division to follow. Two potential championship level fighters in particular. Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis have both defeated their respective veterans, and the question is, who should they fight next?

Francis is the first real prospect in a couple of years now, and he is only 30 years old. Most people are asking for him to fight Ben Rothwell and in a way that is logical. Ben is a step up in competition; a powerful chin, an unusual fighting style and a well rounded game, he is certainly going to be a challenge to the Predator. But that is not the logical choice. We finally have a fighter whom everyone wants to get behind early on, and feeding him to Rothwell is not a very good idea. Rothwell is dangerous. This is a man who has submitted Barnett and decisioned Hunt, and he is far too dangerous for a relatively young fighter such as Francis. As everyone is well aware, there is a giant gap between the top 6 and the rest in this division. So who should Francis Ngannou fight next? Alexander Volkov, the former Bellator champ. This is not a step down in competition, but this is a more conventional fighter than Rothwell. Volkov is also a striker and Francis should be working on his boxing speed and reaction for this fight, but also be honing his ground game and ground game prevention. Let him evolve and if he wins, then we can give him a real step up in competition, and see if he can leap the chasm.

Derrick Lewis is a different story. He knows how to market himself, and after this recent win, there will be interest. Unlike Francis, who have long term popularity, Lewis is inconsistent and needs an exciting opponent. Also, he has had a lot more fights than Ngannou. I would give him either Rothwell or someone who is relatively famous. Rothwell is logical, but Todd Duffee have not seen action for a while. This man just pulled out, and if he does not have any serious injuries, Lewis should be given a fighter whom he can brawl with, and save Rothwell for Ngannou. Or you can always give Ngannou Junior Dos Santos after he fights Stipe.

Two more fighters I'd like to talk about. Andrei Arlovski and Travis Browne. One who has a dismal coach and the other just cannot keep up with the new breed anymore. Two fighters, if you count their recent 4 fights, that possesses a 1-7 record between them. Although it looks bad on paper, both have fought only elite and high level opponents. No excuses though, they lost. Yet, they are still major draws. Everyone likes a story where the hero pulls himself out of the mud and goes out on a victory, and this is what the UFC should do. Give Andrei Victor Pesta and Travis Hamilton or Rocha, and put them on the main event or prelims of a UFC numbered event that has a weak card. For example, an event headlined by a woman and has no heavyweights anywhere. Or a card like UFC 206. If they do not attract buys I do not know what will.

Ex:

Yeah, you know this looks better than a featherweight fight between Cub and Choi, and a welterweight fight between two nobodies.

Cain or JDS.

@wf_mxyzptlk: Then he will lose. Cain negates even the best of strikers and Francis does not have the strength nor the cardio to keep up with Cain at this point. JDS? You are mistaking explosive power for skill. Francis have a killer instinct and an uppercut that can send Dodson into the lower stratosphere, but JDS will outbox him in every round. He is still a developing fighter, let him develop, both mentally and physically. Don't destroy his career just for your entertainment.

I doubt you want to see another Lesnar; full of untapped potential and what ifs.

@van_cere: He said he wants Cain, let him try.

@wf_mxyzptlk: Ha, I'd want to protect my assets.

Good thing though, they are going with the Arlovski vs a lower tier opponent to make it a test for both men, but mainly to spark interest in Singapore of all places. If it's a PPV, Ill wait for youtube to catch up