Francis Ngannou News

Tom Taylor - January 16, 2018

This Saturday, in the main event of UFC 220, surging French-Cameroonian sensation Francis Ngannou will get his anticipated crack at Stipe Miocic and the UFC heavyweight title. This title fight will serve as the crescendo of a Ngannou’s rocket-fuelled rise through the UFC ranks. In roughly two years, the hulking knockout artist has evolved from relative unknown to downright MMA star – and he’s already being paid accordingly.

Drake Riggs - January 15, 2018

Everyone is starting to know who Francis Ngannou is. Which is fair…he hasn’t been making it very easy to go unnoticed, especially after the way he knocked out Alistair Overeem at UFC 218. With that win now under his belt, the 31-year-old, Cameroonian, Ngannou has himself set up for the biggest fight of his life when he takes on the heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic at UFC 220. The shockingly powerful striker is more than focused on the task at hand, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t looking into the future after Saturday night is over. He shared who he wants next on the Outside the Cage podcast: “I will get through the Stipe fight first but my dream was to become the boxing world champion. So whenever the opportunity [to fight Anthony Joshua] will be there, we will see. I’m open for that but right now Stipe is the goal.”

Tom Taylor - January 9, 2018

On January 20, in the main event of the stacked UFC 220, surging French-Cameroonian heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou will step into the Octagon with UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. Over the course of his destructive run in the UFC’s Octagon, Ngannou has flaunted some truly terrifying punching power – something many fans and pundits believe could spell disaster for Miocic. That said, Ngannou has not yet been tested by a truly elite wrestler. As a former NCAA standout, Miocic could well be that wrestler.

Justin Golightly - January 9, 2018

The danger of Francis Ngannou has reached mythic proportions as UFC 220 draws closer and closer. In his short but meteoric rise, Ngannou has become almost a folk hero. His documentary is a crazy eye-opening rags to riches story and we all know by now that he has record-breaking punching power. However, his head coach Fernand Lopez says there are still a lot more that no one has seen yet, from his ground game to even more lethal striking techniques. Quite frankly, he’s afraid of what Ngannou can do to opponents. “I think there are a lot of fighters in the UFC who we’ve never seen the best of because they’ve never had the opportunity to showcase the skills they have. If you’re going to a decision every time you fight, you may have time to show everything, but this guy [Francis Ngannou], he’s spent like one hour in [the cage] his whole career. People really don’t know what this guy can do. Submissions, heel hooks, if you see this guy does a heel hook or guillotine someone, it’s crazy. He’s got a very quick, very nasty guillotine, very nasty heel hook. There are so many skills he can do.”

Chris Taylor - January 7, 2018

Francis Ngannou: Knockouts To Inspire – UFC 220 Documentary In the above video, MMANytt‘s Jim Edwards takes a trip to France for an in-depth interview with surging UFC heavyweight contender Francis “The Predator” Ngannou.

Justin Golightly - January 6, 2018

Glossy video packages, crisp suits, $50K bonuses. This is a world still brand new to Francis Ngannou. Just five years ago, the man was homeless and didn’t even know that mixed martial arts existed. The only thing he knew, is that he saw something bigger for the life which contained him. Ngannou didn’t just see the vision behind closed eyes and admire it, he went out to seek it by any means necessary. For himself, for his family, for his village. “Even during my pregnancy, [Francis Ngannou] was always moving so much I couldn’t sleep. But no, he wasn’t fighting. Never fighting. And he would never let someone hit another kid.” — Francis Ngannou’s mother

Justin Golightly - January 6, 2018

The biggest heavyweight fight potentially of all-time is a couple of weeks away and it is curiously absent of trash talk. Although, when you’re two guys like Francis Ngannou and Stipe Miocic, the need to say threatening things has never really been something that comes up a lot. Both men are equally humble as they are frightening. Both men have made it a habit of dispatching other scary dudes. Which is why Miocic shrugs at the notion of Ngannou’s horror story mythos being built around him and his record-breaking punching power. To Stipe Miocic, Ngannou is just one more guy like he’s fought over and over. “[Franics Ngannou]’s tough, he’s big, strong, hits hard but he’s just another dude. That’s what it is. You’re telling me Mark Hunt doesn’t hit that hard? Or Roy Nelson? Or Junior dos Santos? Come on. He hits hard and definitely if you get hit square like that [it’s bad news], but I’m definitely going to keep my head up, keep my head on a swivel, and make sure I’m doing everything right.”

Justin Golightly - January 4, 2018

It looks like the UFC’s ‘next big thing’ turned out to be exactly what they wanted him to be. Francis Ngannou has laid waste to the last ten people that he’s fought, with K-1 and PRIDE veteran Alistair Overeem recently added to the list of victims. He’s a giant natural talent that used to be homeless and didn’t even know what MMA was five years ago. He’ll be going up against reigning UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, who still manages to hold down a job as a full-time firefighter. It’s an incredible match-up that’s got Dana White more excited than he’s been since Conor McGregor boxed Floyd Mayweather. “This fight is awesome. I can’t wait. When we put together that promo [for UFC 220], I watched it 650 times. I love it. I mean, two knockout punchers. Two guys who come forward and try to finish you. It is the perfect heavyweight match-up. It’s one of the — if not the best heavyweight fight we’ve ever done. One of the best ever in the history of the UFC. It’s in Boston. The thing sold out immediately. […] [Ngannou is] somebody we’ve been focused on for the last year and a half but I didn’t expect that. You see the way that punch landed [on Alistair Overeem], it’s like something out a movie. Super impressive.”

Justin Golightly - December 30, 2017

Stipe Miocic is about to step into the Octagon with a force that the UFC is hyping more than any other heavyweight since Brock Lesnar. After a devastating knockout of Alistair Overeem, the promotional power seems to be warranted. The UFC has found the beast it has been looking for and they needed it, especially with Cain Velasquez being out and Miocic beating everyone else. Perhaps this is the reason why Miocic just doesn’t seem intimidated by Francis Ngannou. That and the fact he runs into burning buildings when he’s not fighting the Earth’s baddest men. “This is what I signed up for. Why would I be intimidated by another man? Good for [Francis Ngannou]. Let him get all the hype he wants. I’m going to do what I do and keep winning.” Francis is an amazing fighter. Him starting in so fast. He’s got great power, he’s very athletic. He’s a big heavyweight. He’s definitely showing it and that’s why he’s here. I think everyone [wants to see another knockout by Ngannou] but that ain’t gonna happen. He can do it to someone else, but it ain’t gonna happen to me. I’m the underdog. What do you expect? That’s what the betting line says, right? But I like being underdog because I shut people up.” — Stipe Miocic at the UFC 220 press conference.

Chris Taylor - December 23, 2017

Stipe Miocic receives some NFL support prior to his UFC 220 title fight with Francis Ngannou. UFC heavyweight champion of the world Stipe Miocic will attempt to make his third consecutive title defense at January’s UFC 220 event in Boston when he squares off with surging division contender Francis Ngannou.

Drake Riggs - December 22, 2017

A pretty odd pairing to say the least! Strange enough alone just considering the difference in weight with Francis Ngannou being a Heavyweight and Uriah Hall a Middleweight. It’s especially odd when considering how different each’s styles are compared to that of their upcoming opponents. But hey, sparring is sparring and surely not many are too willing to spar with Ngannou these days. But damn, would you just look at the big man move!

Justin Golightly - December 21, 2017

Francis Ngannou is one fight away from fulfilling the prophecies of being the next big thing. He’s scheduled to fight Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title in Boston on January 20th. Coincidentally, on the same card as Daniel Cormier’s title defense against Volkan Oezdemir. Aside from one loss and one no contest to Jon Jones, DC is perfect in his career, both at light heavyweight and heavyweight. As his career reaches its peak and cuts get harder, Cormier could go back up to heavyweight to end his career with a bang. This could set up one of the biggest fights in UFC history. “It would be the most amazing thing in the world [to challenge the UFC heavyweight champion as my final fight], but that would take some thinking, some talking and a real solid plan to try to get back to the type of weight that I would need to compete against [Stipe Miocic or Francis Ngannou]. Because, again, I’m not going in there to lose and say I gave it my best shot. If I go in there with Miocic or Ngannou, I’m going to win. That’s just who I am. So that would just be me and my team really coming up with a solid plan on how I’m going to get up to a healthy, strong, 245, 235, 240 pounds to go and fight those dudes.”

Justin Golightly - December 13, 2017

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. All finishes. Everyone Francis Ngannou has tested his record-breaking power on has not been able to take it. The latest victory over former K-1 grand prix champion Alistair Overeem, earned the surging contender the biggest fight of his career. At UFC 220 in Boston early next year, he will fight Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title. The full-time firefighter isn’t phases though. He spoke to Joe Rogan today about the match-up and claims no one — not even Ngannou — will take the belt from him. “I think [Francis Ngannou]’s a great fighter, you know? Definitely. He brings it. He hits hard. Unfortunately, nothing’s going to change. I’m walking out with the belt still wrapped around my waist. I’m excited for him. You know, he’s getting a shot, but as long as I’m here no one’s going to be the champ. His power I guess, [stands out] but I think everyone hits hard in the heavyweight division. A 260-pound man, 250-pound man — you’re not supposed to be hit by something like that. I fought [Junior dos Santos]. I fought Roy Nelson. I fought Mark Hunt. I mean, I fought guys who threw hard. He’s a little wild, too. That’s tough. Sometimes you can’t prepare for that because there are punches you don’t see.”

Justin Golightly - December 12, 2017

He did it. Francis Ngannou held all of his hype on his shoulders and knocked out Alistair Overeem. Still, the people say what’s next? Stipe Miocic is what is next. Ngannou is one of the quickest catapults to the #1 contender in UFC history, allowing him to challenge Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title. Meanwhile, Fabricio Werdum looms just around the corner. He predicts that the rising heavyweight will indeed capture the title, only to lose it to him in his next fight. “[Francis] Ngannou has a lot of power, but I don’t think he’s very technical. However, I still believe he’ll surprise [Stipe] Miocic and knock him out. They both enjoy trading shots, so if Miocic doesn’t have the right strategy, that big black guy will knock him out. Ngannou is very confident and that can make a difference, if he really connects, you’re going down, as we saw with [Alistair] Overeem. I can already see myself submitting [Ngannou], though, and becoming champion again. That’s my goal, to have a third belt on my wall and I really do believe it’ll happen. I’m sure I’m next. I’ll be waiting for him in April or so.”

Russell Ess - December 9, 2017

It’s on! The UFC announced late Saturday that UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will meet Francis Ngannou at UFC 220 on January 20 in Boston at the at the TD Garden.

Justin Golightly - December 7, 2017

The kind of hype train that Francis Ngannou and the UFC has created hasn’t been seen in quite some time. It’s not even just a train anymore, we’ve got hype planes, trains and automobiles here. Whether proven or not, it doesn’t even matter, the only thing that can slow all this momentum now is Stipe Miocic in January. With their fight in almost a month to the day, Ngannou has now been elevated to the very top of the heavyweight heap. Less than 2 years in the UFC!@Francis_Ngannou is now your number one ranked heavyweight! 🇨🇲🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/90uyL74xgH

Russell Ess - December 6, 2017

According to UFC commentator Joe Rogan, we could be seeing a resurgence of days similar to the likes of when “Iron” Mike Tyson was the most feared man to step into the ring with. Over the weekend at UFC 218, rising heavyweight star Francis Ngannou put together a highlight reel knockout over the always dangerous Alistair Overeem. With the win, Ngannou has earned a shot at the UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and the two are reportedly being targeted to fight at UFC 220 in January.

Russell Ess - December 6, 2017

The last time we saw a UFC heavyweight title fight was back in May when champion Stipe Miocic successfully defended his belt against Junior dos Santos. In doing so, Miocic scored another first-round finish and avenged a 2014 decision loss to dos Santos. With Francis Ngannou’s insane highlight knockout over Alistair Overeem that took place over the weekend at UFC 218, the rising heavyweight knockout specialist has earned a shot against Miocic.