The move drew criticism from some fans and observers. [11], Ngannou was born and raised in the village of Bati, Cameroon. [12] He lived in poverty and had little formal education growing up. used on our website in accordance with the relevant legislation. [58] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award. The American Red Cross intercepted the craft midway, though, and brought him to Spain, where he was detained for two months for illegal entry.

Yeah, I think it would be an exhibition fight, he told talkSPORT. Pius Utomi Ekpei/Agence France-Presse via Getty Images.

White also didnt appear at the post-fight press conference, which he usually attends. I want to give some opportunity for children like me who dream of this sport and dont have an opportunity like me. And today, they see me, and they are dreaming. Ngannou said that the process was more difficult than he expected, and that, by the time the fight arrived, he was tired. The U.F.C. In the second round, the fighters engaged in a punching exchange, and Ngannou tapped Miocic on the chin with his left hand and knocked him unconscious. Im not here to go after another thing, this happened, that happened. [17] He did various odd jobs to make ends meet, until at the age of 26, he decided to head to Paris, France, to pursue professional boxing. [26], In his next bout, Ngannou faced another newcomer in Bojan Mihajlovi on 23 July 2016, at UFC on Fox 20. in 2015, and his career path at least for the near and intermediate future was set. Each fight in a fighters career is important, especially a champions first title defense. Rozenstruik. The money was tempting, it was good, but this is not just about money, he said. president, said that being punched by Ngannou was more damaging than being hit with a 12-pound sledgehammer. If you play everyday you could win one of our daily prizes, so what are you waiting for? He officially weighed 257 pounds on Friday, compared with 247 pounds for Gane. is unclear. Own the game and join talkSPORTTriviatoday. wanted Ngannou to fight Lewis just three months after the battle with Miocic. The term of the contract, everything that they put into, they hold you in captivity. He often observed how healthy an aunt and uncles relationship was and craved a stable environment. Keep up to date with whats happening in Turkey, He settled on the risky method of traversing the Strait of Gibraltar with other immigrants using an inflatable boat. [66], A rematch for the UFC Heavyweight Championship bout between Miocic and Ngannou took place on 27 March 2021, at UFC 260. ilgili bilgi almak iin ltfen All he had, he said, was a mattress the person had lent him, which he placed in a corner, and a duffel bag with his gear.

[10] As of 9 May 2022, he is #5 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. [18] Lopez gave Ngannou some MMA gear and allowed him to train and sleep at the gym for no cost thus starting Ngannou's MMA career. Good question, he said. [45], Ngannou faced Derrick Lewis on 7 July 2018, at UFC 226. Respect is No. At 9 years old, he began working in sand quarries with his older brother, spending the time when he was not in school shoveling sand into trucks and completing other laborious tasks. Anyone can read what you share. Do the UFC still want me to fight there? The win over Gane ensured his UFC contract was extended for another three fights or one year via the championship clause. "Ideas like MMA gloves or fighting barefoot. Ngannou has said his week that he would be interested in returning to UFC after fighting Fury should he need to leave to make that fight. Ngannou beat Miocic for the U.F.C. Ngannous ascent within the U.F.C. Ngannou and his agent, Marquel Martin, did not accept that rapid turnaround, and the U.F.C. Ngannous personality, unlike the braggadocious personas usually assumed by prizefighters to persuade fans to spend $70 or more on a pay-per-view spectacle, was forged by the problems he faced early in life. I was just surviving, Ngannou said. Nicksick learned quickly that Ngannou was a reserved person, but through training sessions and the time they spent together, the two bonded and Ngannou became close with Nicksicks family. Ngannou stands 6-foot-4, with chiseled muscles and protruding veins on his skin that are the size of small, slender snakes.

270 against the interim champion, Ciryl Gane, who briefly trained with Ngannou. star Conor McGregor as a template. 100 per cent, it would knock any man out, he said. "Probably next year it will happen. [62] However, on 9 April, Dana White, the president of the UFC announced that the event was postponed[63] and the bout eventually took place on 9 May 2020. His father was known as a street fighter, and even though Ngannou did not like the dishonorable reputation that carried, he soon developed a love for boxing. [60] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed . [64] Ngannou won via knockout just 20 seconds into the first round. Nothing. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Ngannou and Miocic headlined U.F.C. I left all that down on the table. The spat has seeped into the public White and Martin have traded barbs on social media, and Ngannou has said he is prepared to test free agency, though he wishes to stay in the company. [54], Ngannou headlined the UFC's inaugural event on ESPN, UFC on ESPN 1 against Cain Velasquez on 17 February 2019. Ngannou said while he wasnt impressed with Whites blatant snub, he wasnt fazed and was just happy to have won the fight.

No. [33], Ngannou was expected to face Junior dos Santos on 9 September 2017, at UFC 215.

The Cameroonian knockout artist appears to have fought for the last time in the UFC as his current deal came to an end in January when he picked up adecision win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. It's not easy. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. to read our informative text prepared pursuant to the Law on the Protection of Personal Data No. The Cameroonian added that there is a "70% chance" his next opponent will be the British boxer. Francis Ngannou at his gym, Xtreme Couture MMA, in Las Vegas.CreditJoe Buglewicz for The New York Times. The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding tax and compliance needs. Im taking my $600,000, Im going there, Im doing this and Im winning everything. Daniel Beloumou Olomo/Agence France-Presse via Getty Images. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology. Im not worried about that, because at the end of the day, its just a belt, he said. [28] Ngannou then faced Anthony Hamilton on 9 December 2016, at UFC Fight Night 102. Even when they are so poor, something is possible in life. And so when his teacher dismissed him from the classroom, he determined that he would no longer accept living in poverty, viewing a professional fighting career as his escape. See full details here. [16] However, Ngannou refused and instead decided to use his father's negative reputation as a street fighter as motivation to do something positive and pursue boxing. [32] He won the fight via TKO in the first round. 18+. His family was well fed, and he had never needed to work grueling hours in sand mines. Im proud of myself, man.. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. [16], At the age of 22, Ngannou began training in boxing, despite the initial reluctance of his family. BROWN / AFP), Francis Ngannous UFC future is up in the air. "Probably next year it will happen. Theres a lot of things. Whether Im going to be an employee or an independent contractor, make it very clear in the contract. Francis Ngannou, the current UFC heavyweight champion, said he hopes to fight Tyson Fury in a crossover bout in 2023. Francis Ngannou in action during a heavyweight championship MMA bout against Stipe Miocic at UFC 220, Boston, U.S., Jan. 21, 2018. He didnt have to deal with adult levels of stress. I respected that, and I feel like thats why were at where were at. At 10 years old, Ngannou started working in a sand quarry in Bati because of a lack of funds. The last time I was in Cameroon, I brought a lot of materials for boxing and MMA to open a gym. Francis Ngannou, known widely for his devastating punches, journeyed from Cameroon to France to the United States to become a mixed martial arts star. [29] He won the fight by submission in the first round, and earned his first UFC Performance of the Night bonus. [55] He won the fight via knockout in the first round. [25] He won the fight via TKO, due to doctor stoppage at the end of the second round. (Photo by Logan Riely / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP), Who knows if well see Francis Ngannou in the octagon again? Clashing with Jon Jones and completing a trilogy with Stipe Miocic both interest him. heavyweight championship in Las Vegas on March 27, 2021.

created an interim title between Lewis and Gane instead. Enter today HERE for your chance to win 2,500 CASH! Terms and Conditions and Competition rules apply. Overall, Ive been leaving a lot of money on the table even since the Stipe (Miocic) fight. erezlerle You can unsubscribe at any time. If you really want to be somewhere else, then you probably should be.. But as he has done throughout his life, it is another problem he feels will be resolved by following his emotions and betting on himself. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. Ngannou started his MMA career in November 2013 and fought mostly in the French promotion 100% Fight, as well as other regional promotions in Europe. They should be the one answering that question., TOPSHOT - UFC 270 heavyweight world champion Cameroon's Francis Ngannou (C) reacts on introduction for fight against France's Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on January 22, 2022. In 2018, Ngannou was outclassed by Miocic when they fought for the heavyweight title. [27] He won the fight via TKO in the first round. [22], Ngannou made his UFC debut against fellow newcomer Luis Henrique on 19 December 2015, at UFC on Fox 17.