UFC Fight Night 141 Preview: Everything you need to know about UFC China, Blaydes vs Ngannou 2

#1 Curtis Blaydes vs Francis Ngannou - Heavyweight

Curtis Blaydes was not happy with the doctor stoppage which brought his fight with Ngannou to a halt

Having met previously, neither of these two fighters are strangers to one another.

While Ngannou has had one of the worst 2018 for any fighter, he will be looking to make up for that with this fight. After an incredible 2015, 2016, and 2017, where he notched up one victory after the other - including a victory over Curtis Blaydes, he finally managed to earn a title shot against then UFC Heavyweight Champion, Stipe Miocic, in January of 2018.

Miocic took on Ngannou and summarily dismissed him in short order. The shock of such a huge loss hurt him badly as he was dominated throughout the five rounds.

In an attempt to bounce back, he then faced Derrick Lewis at UFC 226. While Lewis won via unanimous decision, the fight was heavily criticised due to the slow, trepidatious pace set by the two fighters.

Ngannou had lost once again, but worse, the fight had not even been entertaining. Now, he is set to go against an opponent he had previously beaten. Can he do it again at UFC China?

Curtis Blaydes on the other hand, will be out for revenge. This fight against Francis Ngannou means a lot to him.

When Blaydes first came to the UFC, his debut fight was against none other than Ngannou. He lost on that occasion after a doctor stopped his fight following the second round. Since then he has won every fight he has been a part of.

His loss against Ngannou remains the only blemish on an otherwise perfect mixed martial arts record.

This fight will mean a lot to him, as a win here will allow him to put the past behind him once and for all after UFC Fight Night 141.