Francis Ngannou is one of the most dominant and feared fighters in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). He is the current heavyweight champion of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), and a former champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

He is known for his incredible punching power, which set the world record for the hardest punch ever recorded at 129,161 units. But behind his impressive achievements lies a remarkable story of overcoming poverty, hardship, and adversity.

Childhood and Early Life

Ngannou was born on September 5, 1986, in Batié, a small village in Cameroon. He lived in extreme poverty and had little formal education growing up. His parents divorced when he was six years old, and he was sent to live with his aunt. At 10 years old, he started working in a sand quarry to help his family and pay for his school fees. He often worked in harsh conditions, carrying heavy loads of sand for hours under the scorching sun. He hated his life and felt hopeless about his future.

He was also exposed to violence and crime in his village, where gangs and street fights were common. His father had a reputation as a notorious street fighter, which Ngannou wanted to avoid. He decided to channel his frustration and anger into something positive and pursue boxing. He was inspired by his idol, Mike Tyson, who he saw on a TV at a local bar. He dreamed of becoming a professional boxer and changing his situation.

Pursuit of Boxing and MMA

At 22 years old, Ngannou began training in boxing at a local gym, despite the initial reluctance of his family. He trained for a year, but had to stop due to an illness. He then did various odd jobs to make ends meet, such as working as a mechanic, a security guard, and a delivery man. He was unhappy with his life and felt that he was wasting his potential. He decided to leave Cameroon and head to Paris, France, to pursue his boxing career.

However, his journey was not easy. He faced many challenges and dangers along the way, such as crossing the Sahara desert, being jailed in Spain for illegally crossing the border, and being robbed by smugglers. He finally reached Paris in 2013, but he had no money, no friends, and no place to live. He was homeless for a while, sleeping on the streets and in train stations. He also faced racism and discrimination as an African immigrant.

He eventually found his way to a boxing gym, where he met coach Didier Carmont, who was sympathetic to his situation. Carmont convinced the gym to let him train for free, and introduced him to the sport of MMA. Ngannou was intrigued by the new challenge and decided to give it a try. He also became a volunteer at Lo Chorba, a non-profit organization that helps the homeless and the poor in Paris. He met Khater Yenbou, the director of Lo Chorba, who introduced him to Fernand Lopez and the MMA Factory, a renowned MMA gym in France.

Ngannou trained under Lopez, who became his mentor and manager. He learned the basics of MMA, such as wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and kickboxing. He made his professional MMA debut in 2013, and won his first six fights by knockout or submission. He caught the attention of the UFC, the biggest MMA promotion in the world, and signed a contract with them in 2015.

Rise to Fame and Glory

Ngannou made his UFC debut in December 2015, and won his first four fights by knockout or submission. He quickly established himself as a rising star and a knockout artist in the heavyweight division. He also moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, to train at the UFC Performance Institute and Xtreme Couture, a top MMA gym in the US.

In 2017, he faced Alistair Overeem, a veteran and former champion, in a title eliminator bout. Ngannou delivered one of the most brutal knockouts in UFC history, when he landed a devastating uppercut that sent Overeem flying to the canvas. He earned a shot at the UFC heavyweight title, held by Stipe Miocic, the longest-reigning champion in the division.

However, Ngannou suffered his first UFC loss when he faced Miocic in January 2018. He was outwrestled and outclassed by the champion, who exposed his weaknesses in grappling and cardio. Ngannou admitted that he was overconfident and underprepared for the fight. He also revealed that he had personal issues and distractions that affected his performance.

He bounced back from his loss with a first-round knockout of Curtis Blaydes, but then suffered another setback when he lost a unanimous decision to Derrick Lewis in a lackluster fight. Ngannou admitted that he was mentally broken and had lost his confidence and passion for fighting. He decided to take some time off and reconnect with his roots. He visited Cameroon and opened the Francis Ngannou Foundation, a charity that provides a gym and education for underprivileged children in his hometown.

He returned to the octagon in 2019, and regained his form and fire. He won his next four fights by knockout in the first round, defeating former champions Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos, and top contenders Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Jarzinho Rozenstruik. He earned a rematch with Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title in March 2021.

This time, Ngannou was ready and improved. He showed his evolution as a fighter, displaying better striking, wrestling, and defense. He knocked out Miocic in the second round, becoming the new UFC heavyweight champion and the first African-born champion in UFC history. He also avenged his loss and fulfilled his dream.

Current Status and Future Plans

Ngannou is currently the heavyweight champion of the PFL, a new MMA promotion that offers a $1 million prize for each weight class. He signed with the PFL in 2022, after his contract with the UFC expired. He said that he wanted to explore new opportunities and challenges, and that he was not satisfied with the UFC's treatment and pay. He also expressed his interest in pursuing a professional boxing career, and called out boxing champions such as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Ngannou is widely regarded as one of the best and most popular fighters in the world. He has a record of 17 wins and 3 losses, with 12 wins by knockout and 4 by submission. He is known for his humble and respectful personality, his inspiring story, and his philanthropic work. He is a role model and a hero for many people, especially in Africa, where he hopes to inspire the next generation of fighters and dreamers.

Who Are Some Of The Fighters That Francis Ngannou Has Defeated?

Francis Ngannou has defeated many top fighters in his MMA career, such as:

• Alistair Overeem, a former Strikeforce, Dream, and K-1 champion

• Cain Velasquez, a two-time UFC heavyweight champion

• Junior dos Santos, a former UFC heavyweight champion

• Stipe Miocic, a four-time UFC heavyweight champion

• Ciryl Gane, an undefeated rising star and former teammate

He has also defeated other notable fighters such as Curtis Blaydes, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Andrei Arlovski, and Anthony Hamilton. He has a record of 17 wins and 3 losses, with 12 wins by knockout and 4 by submission. He is currently the heavyweight champion of the PFL.

Has Francis Ngannou Won Any Awards?

Francis Ngannou has won several awards in his mixed martial arts career. Some of them are:

• UFC Heavyweight Championship (one time)

• Performance of the Night (five times)

• Marvel’s Earth’s Mightiest Athletes Award (2021)

• Best Local Champion Award by Las Vegas Weekly (2022)

He was also nominated for the Best Fighter Award at the 2021 ESPY Awards, but lost to Canelo Alvarez.

Controversy And Activism Of Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou is a former UFC heavyweight champion and a professional boxer who has been involved in some controversy and activism in his career. Some examples are:

• He was stripped of his UFC belt after rejecting a contract offer from the promotion and pursuing a boxing match with Tyson Fury. He claimed that the UFC did not respect his rights as a fighter and did not pay him fairly.

• He spoke out against the violence and deaths of migrants who tried to cross the border from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Melilla, where he himself had crossed as a refugee from Cameroon. He called the situation “barbaric” and criticized the EU’s policy of externalizing border control.

• He founded the Francis Ngannou Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides opportunities and resources for children in Cameroon to pursue their dreams through sports and education. He also supports other causes such as clean water, wildlife conservation, and mental health awareness.

How Much Did Francis Ngannou Net Worth?

According to Francis Ngannou’s net worth is estimated to be more than $5 million in 2024. He is a former UFC heavyweight champion and the current PFL heavyweight champion. He earns most of his income from his MMA fights, but he also has other sources of income from sponsorships and endorsements. He recently fought Tyson Fury in a boxing match and earned $10 million for the fight. He is also involved in philanthropy and runs a charity that provides a gym and education for underprivileged children in Cameroon.

Conclusion

Francis Ngannou is a remarkable athlete and a humanitarian who has overcome many challenges in his life. He is an inspiration to many people around the world, especially the children of Cameroon who look up to him as a role model. He is not only a fierce competitor in the ring, but also a compassionate leader who uses his platform to advocate for positive change. Francis Ngannou is a true champion, both in and out of the octagon.