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 a single 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. However, 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 buddies, and nowhere to stay. For a time, he was pressured to stay homeless on the streets of the French capital.
4) Journey into MMA
While he was residing in Paris, Ngannou met Francis Carmont, a combined martial artist from France, who in flip launched him to Fernand Lopez, one other Cameroonian residing in France, and the MMA Factory. 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% Fight, in addition to different regional promotions in Europe. He quickly compiled a file of 5-1 and ultimately signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
6) The Big 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 struggle he received through second-round knockout.
7) Uppercut from Hell
In phrases of the struggle that put Ngannou on the map, there may be little doubt the hellacious uppercut he landed on the chin of Alistair Overeem at UFC 218 in December 2017 did the job. Considered 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
Despite 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 Last Fight
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 received this struggle by resolution, having gone the complete 5 rounds, which marked the primary time Ngannou had ever received a struggle by resolution in his profession.
10) Giving Back
The Francis Ngannou Foundation constructed the primary ever MMA fitness center in Cameroon, its goal to provide services for younger Cameroonians to have a spot to practice. “I want to give some opportunity for children like me who dream of this sport and don’t have an opportunity like me,” Ngannou stated.
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