5 times when a UFC champion used a surprising gameplan to win a fight

#2. Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane – UFC 270

Nobody expected Francis Ngannou to use his wrestling to dominate Ciryl Gane at UFC 270

The recent heavyweight title bout between champion Francis Ngannou and interim titleholder Ciryl Gane was as big a bout as the UFC had seen in some time. Furthermore, there was no doubt that the winner would be considered the greatest big man on the planet.

With both men coming from a striking background, it felt like the fight would come down to one simple question: would it be Ngannou’s brutal punching power that would win the day, or would Gane’s more technical, patient approach take him to victory?

It seemed highly doubtful that either man would want to take the clash to the ground. Also many observers felt like if it did go to the mat, Gane – who had three submission wins on his ledger – would have an advantage.

However, after struggling with the accuracy and timing of ‘Bon Gamin’ in the opening couple of rounds, Ngannou decided to change things up entirely.

Showing a hugely improved wrestling game, ‘The Predator’ began to close the distance to grab hold of Gane – and quickly overpowered him, throwing him to the ground like a ragdoll at times.

Gane had little answer for the takedowns. While Ngannou’s ground-and-pound didn’t do all that much damage, it quickly became clear that ‘The Predator’ was winning the fight.

In the end, Ngannou’s newly-developed wrestling game took him to a stunning unanimous decision win – and going forward, he’ll undoubtedly be seen as a far more dangerous fighter than he was before.

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#1. Georges St-Pierre vs. B.J. Penn – UFC 94

Georges St-Pierre's gameplan against BJ Penn in their second bout was a thing of genius

As was mentioned previously, Georges St-Pierre was always a master of being able to switch up his styles inside the octagon, a fighting chameleon of sorts who could tailor a gameplan to defeating a specific opponent.

The best example of this was undoubtedly his second UFC welterweight title defense against his old rival B.J. Penn in January 2009.

'Rush' had fought Penn in early 2006 prior to first winning the title, and to say he struggled against the Hawaiian would be an understatement. Using his sharper boxing, Penn jabbed St-Pierre up throughout the early going of the fight and only succumbed to the Canadian’s takedowns when he gassed out.

It stood to reason, then, that St-Pierre’s best path to victory would be to outwrestle Penn from the start. However, given the Hawaiian’s striking and takedown defense, it wouldn’t be easy.

St-Pierre, however, had an ace up his sleeve in the form of a unique gameplan. Throughout the first round, and in the early part of the second, he largely refused to strike with Penn, instead looking to clinch ‘The Prodigy’ and force him into the fence.

It felt like an almost cowardly gameplan at first, but midway through the second round, St-Pierre switched things up again and suddenly, began to take Penn down with ease. From there, it was all downhill for the Hawaiian, as 'Rush' simply pounded him into submission – forcing him to quit on his stool after the fourth round.

It was only in the post-fight interviews that St-Pierre revealed his cerebral plan. He’d decided to clinch with Penn in order to force blood to pool into his shoulders, essentially gassing his arms out and leaving him far more vulnerable to the takedown.

To say this was a smart – and surprising – gameplan from the Canadian was an understatement. However, it led him directly to one of the best victories of his career, and still stands as a testament to his greatness more than a decade on.