Francis Ngannou favored in UFC 220 heavyweight championship

Hulking Cameroonian knockout artist Francis "The Predator" Ngannou has been installed as the betting favorite ahead of his challenge for the UFC heavyweight championship at UFC 220 next weekend.

Defending champ Stipe Miocic stands on the verge of making UFC heavyweight history, as he’s just one win away from becoming the first fighter to successfully defend the UFC heavyweight title three times in a row.

But that fact doesn’t seem to resonate with the oddsmakers, who have installed Ngannou as the -175 favorite for the UFC 220 title clash in Boston on January 20.

Ngannou blasted his way into a title fight with Miocic with a devastating one-punch knockout victory over Alistair Overeem at UFC 218. The Cameroonian's terrifying KO earned him Knockout of the Year honors, a shot at the heavyweight title and the pre-fight favorite tag ahead of his first title fight.

But Miocic is riding the most impressive run of form in his career, having finished each of his last five opponents, all of whom have held major combat sports titles.

After stopping former K-1 kickboxing tournament champion Mark Hunt in the fifth round in May 2015, Miocic turned up the power and stopped his next four opponents in the first round.

Former UFC heavyweight champions Andrei Arlovski, Fabricio Werdum and Junior dos Santos were all dispatched, along with former K-1 Grand Prix, DREAM and Strikeforce heavyweight champion Overeem.

Despite this stellar resume, Miocic finds himself the underdog heading into the contest at odds of +165, which is offering a full slate of fight props ahead of the eagerly-anticipated clash at the TD Garden next weekend.

UFC 220: Stipe Miocic vs Francis Ngannou – Selected Props 

Fight Odds
Miocic +165  |  Ngannou -175  |  Draw +12500

Over 1.5 rounds
Yes +132  |  No -147

Fight goes to decision
Yes +500  |  No -800

Fight starts Round 2
Yes -120  |  No -110

Fight starts Round 3
Yes +195  |  No -255

Fight starts Round 4
Yes +324  |  No -432

Fight starts Round 5
Yes +429  |  No -620

Miocic wins by TKO/KO
Yes +247  |  Any other result -340

Ngannou wins by TKO/KO
Yes -170  |  Any other result +130

Miocic wins by submission
Yes +1700  |  Any other result -5100

Ngannou wins via submission
Yes +1303  |  Any other result -3011

Miocic wins inside the distance
Yes +223  |  No -283

Ngannou wins inside the distance
Yes -165  |  No +135

Ngannou wins inside the distance
Yes -165  |  No +135