Francis Ngannou facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Francis Ngannou
Ngannou in 2023
Born	Francis Zavier Ngannou (1986-09-05) 5 September 1986 (age 38) Batié, Cameroon
Nickname(s)	The Predator
Residence	Paris, France
Nationality	Cameroonian French
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	257 lb (117 kg; 18 st 5 lb)
Division	Heavyweight
Reach	83 in (211 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Team	MMA Factory (2013–2018) UFC Performance Institute Xtreme Couture (2018–present)
Trainer	Eric Nicksick (Head coach) Dewey Cooper (Striking coach, 2017–present) Fernand Lopez (formerly)
Years active	2013–present
Professional boxing record
Total	2
Losses	2
Kickboxing record
Total	1
Wins	1
Mixed martial arts record
Total	21
Wins	18
By knockout	13
By submission	4
By decision	1
Losses	3
By decision	3

Francis Zavier Ngannou (born 5 September 1986) is a famous fighter from Cameroon and France. He is a professional mixed martial artist and professional boxer. He currently fights in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). There, he is the very first PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion.

Before joining the PFL, Francis Ngannou was the UFC Heavyweight Champion. He was known for his incredibly strong punches. Many people thought he was the most powerful puncher in the UFC's heavyweight division. He won many of his fights by knockout very quickly.

Early life and his journey to fighting

Francis Ngannou grew up in a small village in Batié, Cameroon. His family was very poor, and he did not get much schooling. When he was six, his parents divorced, and he went to live with his aunt. By age 10, he was working in a sand quarry to help his family.

As a young person, some local gangs tried to get him to join them. But Francis said no. His father had a past as a street fighter. Francis used this as a reason to do something positive. He decided to become a boxer instead.

At 22, Francis started training in boxing. His family was not sure about it at first. After a year, he had to stop training because he got sick. He worked many different jobs to earn money. When he was 26, he decided to go to Paris, France, to become a professional boxer.

When he first arrived in Europe, he faced difficulties. After reaching Paris, he had no money or a place to stay. He lived on the streets for a while. Then, he found a boxing club. There, he met a coach named Didier Carmont. The coach understood Francis's situation. He convinced the gym to let Francis train for free. He also introduced Francis to mixed martial arts (MMA).

Francis was a big fan of Mike Tyson and wanted to box. But his new coach, Fernand Lopez, saw his potential in MMA. Lopez gave Francis some gear and let him train and even sleep at the gym for free. This is how Francis Ngannou's MMA career began.

Francis often talks about his journey. He wants to help children in Cameroon who have dreams. He wants to give them chances, just like he got. He has opened a gym in Cameroon. He hopes it will help young people pursue their own dreams.

Professional mixed martial arts career

Starting his MMA journey

Francis Ngannou started his MMA career in November 2013. He fought in French and European events. He won five fights and lost only one. After these fights, he signed with the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Ngannou in 2017

Francis Ngannou made his UFC debut in December 2015. He won his first fight by knockout. He continued to win many fights. He beat opponents like Curtis Blaydes and Andrei Arlovski. He often won by knockout in the first round. His powerful punches earned him "Performance of the Night" bonuses.

In 2017, Francis set a world record. He had the hardest punch ever recorded on a special machine called the PowerKube. His punch measured 129,161 franklin.

Later in 2017, Francis fought Alistair Overeem. He won by knockout in the first round. This knockout was seen as one of the best and most powerful ever. After this win, he signed a new contract with the UFC.

Francis then fought Stipe Miocic for the UFC Heavyweight Championship in January 2018. He lost this fight by decision. His next fight was against Derrick Lewis. He also lost this fight by decision. Fans and media were not happy with this fight because not much happened.

But Francis came back strong. He beat Curtis Blaydes again in November 2018. He won by TKO very quickly. He also knocked out Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos in the first round. In May 2020, he knocked out Jairzinho Rozenstruik in just 20 seconds. These wins showed his incredible power.

Becoming UFC Heavyweight Champion

Francis Ngannou had a rematch with Stipe Miocic for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. This fight happened in March 2021. Francis won by knockout in the second round. He became the new UFC Heavyweight Champion! This win also earned him a "Performance of the Night" award.

His first title defense was against Ciryl Gane in January 2022. Francis won this fight by decision. This was his first win that went to the judges' scorecards. He had injured his knee before the fight but still managed to win.

Leaving the UFC

In January 2023, Francis Ngannou left the UFC. He and the UFC could not agree on a new contract. Francis had asked for things like health insurance for all UFC fighters. He also wanted fighters to be able to have their own sponsors. When his requests were not met, he decided not to re-sign. He was the first reigning champion to leave the UFC in a long time.

After leaving the UFC, Francis said he wanted to start a boxing career. He wanted to fight famous boxers like Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.

Professional Fighters League (PFL)

In May 2023, Francis Ngannou signed a big deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He will fight in their "super fight" division. This deal also lets him compete in other sports like boxing. Francis also made sure his opponents would be paid well. He also joined the PFL's global advisory board to help other fighters. He is also a part-owner and chairman of the new PFL Africa league. Many people called his PFL contract a historic moment for fighting sports.

In February 2024, it was announced that Francis would return to MMA. He would fight the winner of a match between Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader.

Francis Ngannou fought Renan Ferreira for the PFL Heavyweight Superfight Championship in October 2024. He won the fight by knockout in the first round. He became the first-ever PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion.

Professional boxing career

Ngannou vs. Fury

Francis Ngannou fought the undefeated boxing champion Tyson Fury in October 2023. This big boxing match was called "Battle of the Baddest." Francis surprised many people by knocking down Fury in the third round. The fight went all 10 rounds. Fury won by a close decision, which some people thought was controversial.

Because of his strong performance, Francis was ranked among the top heavyweights by the WBC.

Ngannou vs. Joshua

Francis Ngannou then faced Anthony Joshua in March 2024. This fight was also in Saudi Arabia. Francis lost this fight by knockout in the second round.

Personal life

Francis Ngannou speaks several languages. He speaks Ngemba, French, and English. He learned English after joining the UFC.

In April 2024, Francis shared sad news. His 15-month-old son, Kobe, had passed away.

Helping others (Philanthropy)

Francis Ngannou started The Francis Ngannou Foundation. He first used his own money to run it. Now, it also gets donations. The foundation runs the first MMA gym in Cameroon. It gives young people a place to train. It also gives school supplies to children and schools in Cameroon. They have even set up computer labs in villages that need them. In January 2024, the foundation said it had helped 26,000 people.

Film appearances

Francis Ngannou has appeared in a few movies:

Awards and achievements

Francis Ngannou has won many awards and titles:

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • UFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
    • He defended his title once.
  • He was the first UFC champion born in Cameroon.
  • Performance of the Night (Six times) for fights against Anthony Hamilton, Andrei Arlovski, Curtis Blaydes, Junior dos Santos, Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Stipe Miocic
  • Tied for third most finishes in UFC Heavyweight history (11).
  • Tied for second most knockouts in UFC Heavyweight history (10).
  • Tied for fourth most consecutive knockouts in UFC history (5).
  • Sixth highest win percentage in UFC history (85.71%: 12 wins / 2 losses).
  • Holds the world record for the hardest punch.
  • UFC.com Awards
    • 2017: Knockout of the Year vs. Alistair Overeem
    • 2021: Ranked #6 Knockout of the Year vs. Stipe Miocic 2

• Professional Fighters League
  • PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Championship (One time, first, current)
• Other Awards
  • 2017 Knockout of the Year from Bleacher Report, ESPN, Pundit Arena, MMA Fighting / SB Nation, MMAjunkie.com, MMADNA.nl, and World MMA Awards (all for his knockout of Alistair Overeem).
  • 2017 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year from MMA Fighting / SB Nation.
  • 2021 March Knockout of the Month from MMAjunkie.com (for his knockout of Stipe Miocic).

Mixed martial arts fight record

Professional boxing record

Kickboxing record

Pay-per-view fights

These are some of the fights Francis Ngannou was in that people paid to watch:

MMA

Boxing

See also

In Spanish: Francis Ngannou para niños

• List of current PFL fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists