During the early days of Mixed Martial Arts, fans had the privilege of watching David vs. Goliath matchups.
In 2002, Japanese promoters paired the 330 lbs. Bob Sapp with the 220 lbs. Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. A fight that resulted in a Nogueira armbar victory. A similar outcome occurred in the 2007 showdown between the 7’2, 330 lbs. Hong Man Choi and the 5’11, 230 lbs. Fedor Emelianenko.
Several other size mismatches graced the MMA stage during the 2000’s decade. Featuring the knockout of 265 lbs. Mark Hunt at the hands of 185 lbs. Melvin Manhoef. Possibly the largest negation of a size differential came via forearm choke of 400 lbs. Sumo wrestler Alan Karaev by the 240 lbs. Garry Goodridge.
Those days are long gone. The migration of mainstream Mixed Martial Arts from Japan to the United States ushered in a new era of increased regulations. A 265 lb limit was placed on the Heavyweight division, and cross-divisional super fights rarely, if ever, rival the aforementioned size differences.
Here’s the next best thing.
6’4, 255 lbs. Francis Ngannou vs. 5’4, 115 lbs. Paige VanZant on the punching machine. The former is the most intimidating figure in the sport’s largest division, while the latter fights in the UFC’s smallest division. Two opposite ends of the spectrum and the results would speak as much. The towering Ngannou registers a 941 on the machine, while the lean VanZant scores a 660.
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Both fighters are rising stars in the UFC. At 30 years old, Ngannou has yet to reach the prime age of heavyweight fighters. In his most recent fight, he claimed a 92-second knockout win over former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski, which propelled him to rank #5 in the division. Conversely, VanZant has stumbled as of late, suffering two submission losses in her last three fights. However, she can find consolation in the fact that these losses came from elite competition. At 23 years old she has plenty of time to develop her skills and add to her already impressive skillset.
Francis Ngannou:
Born on September 5, 1986, in Batié, Cameroon, Francis Ngannou made his professional MMA debut in 2013 and since then has amassed a 10-1 record. Nicknamed The Predator, he has been touted by many as the future of the Heavyweight division, sporting an intimidating physique and deadly knockout power. Ngannou has recently relocated his training to Las Vegas, Nevada in hopes to get ready for the next level. [Source: Wiki]
Paige VanZant:
Born on March 26, 1994, in Dundee, Oregon, Paige Michelle VanZant made her professional MMA debut in 2012 and since then, has amassed a 7-3 record. She trains at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California. VanZant currently stands as one of the most recognizable and marketable figures in the sport. [Source: Wiki]
