10 things to know about Francis Ngannou ahead of his pro boxing debut

1) Enter Sandman

Francis Ngannou, an enormous man, was born and raised within the tiny village of Batié, Cameroon. A mountainous area, Batié is thought for its sand manufacturing and Ngannou began working in one in every of its many sand quarries on the tender age of 10

2) Crossing Borders

At 26, Ngannou headed for France with the goal of pursuing a profession in skilled boxing. Nonetheless, after reaching Europe, he was jailed for 2 months in Spain for illegally crossing the border by sea.

3) Down and out in Paris

After Ngannou lastly reached Paris, he had nothing: no cash, no mates, and nowhere to stay. For a time, he was compelled to stay homeless on the streets of the French capital.

4) Journey into MMA

Whereas he was residing in Paris, Ngannou met Francis Carmont, a blended martial artist from France, who in flip launched him to Fernand Lopez, one other Cameroonian residing in France, and the MMA Manufacturing facility. It was there Ngannou’s MMA journey would start.

5) New Beginnings

To little or no fanfare, Ngannou began his MMA profession in November 2013, competing within the French promotion 100% Combat, in addition to different regional promotions in Europe. He quickly compiled a document of 5-1 and ultimately signed with the Final Combating Championship (UFC).

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Pictures)

6) The Large League

With hype slowly beginning to construct, albeit solely in Europe, Ngannou made his UFC debut towards fellow newcomer Luis Henrique on December 19, 2015. It was a combat he gained by way of second-round knockout.

7) Uppercut from Hell

By way of the combat that put Ngannou on the map, there could be little doubt the hellacious uppercut he landed on the chin of Alistair Overeem at UFC 218 in December 2017 did the job. Thought of by some to be the scariest knockout in UFC historical past, Ngannou’s energy and potential was clear for all to see after that.

8) Champion of the World

Regardless of having misplaced towards Stipe Miocic (by resolution) after they met for the primary time in January 2018, Ngannou fared a lot better after they reconvened in March 2021, this time catching Miocic within the second spherical to win the UFC heavyweight title and full his rags to riches story.

9) The Final Combat

Ten months after beating Miocic to win heavyweight gold, Ngannou fought interim UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane in his first title defence, booked for 22 January 2022 at UFC 270. He gained this combat by resolution, having gone the complete 5 rounds, which marked the primary time Ngannou had ever gained a combat by resolution in his profession.

10) Giving Again

The Francis Ngannou Basis constructed the primary ever MMA gymnasium in Cameroon, its goal to supply amenities for younger Cameroonians to have a spot to coach. “I need to give some alternative for youngsters like me who dream of this sport and don’t have a chance like me,” Ngannou stated.