Francis Ngannou News

Tom Taylor - April 10, 2020

Francis Ngannou recently reacted to the postponement of the UFC 249 card, which was supposed to include his heavyweight fight with Jairzinho Rozenstruik. UFC 249 was scheduled for April 18. The card was originally expected to occur in Brooklyn, New York, but amid tightening restrictions enacted to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, it was moved to tribal land in California. As it turns out, not even this move could save the event. Amid growing pressure from ESPN, its parent company Disney, and even some politicians, UFC President Dana White announced Thursday night that the card has been postponed.

Mike Pendleton - April 9, 2020

UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou is preparing for a possible title eliminator at UFC 249 on April 18 against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, but he has very high goals for his entire fighting career. In an exclusive interview with BJPENN.com’s Inside The Cage, Ngannou was asked about a potential crossover to boxing later in his career, and he said it’s something he’s very serious about because it was his first dream.

Mike Pendleton - April 8, 2020

As the UFC moves forward with UFC 249, questions have come up to the safety of all those involved with the event, from the fighters to the coaches, and all event personnel, and what safety precautions will be in place due to the ongoing COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. One fighter on the card, Francis Ngannou, provided a very encouraging update to how the UFC will be handling the event from a safety standpoint. After their fight in March was postponed, Ngannou is scheduled to face Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249 on April 18, and spoke to BJPENN.com about the precautions in place for the event. Making an appearance on BJPENN.com’s Inside The Cage, Ngannou revealed that he and his team will be tested for COVID-19 prior to UFC 249, and he had no worries about the UFC keeping him and everyone involved healthy and safe.

Adam Martin - April 6, 2020

A heavyweight bout between top contenders Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik is the latest addition to the revamped UFC 249 card. Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik was originally set to take place at UFC Columbus in the main event before that card was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Both men have been campaigning to appear on the new UFC 249 card and it appears they will now get their wish. According to Rozestruik, the fight will indeed take place at UFC 249. It won’t be for the interim heavyweight belt like Rozenstruik suggested, but it has been booked nonetheless.

Christopher Taylor - March 28, 2020

Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou has shared his thoughts on the recent arrest of promotional light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Early on Thursday morning, Jones was arrested for allegedly firing a gunshot in downtown Albuquerque. According to police reports, ‘Bones’ was also found to have marijuana residue on his clothing in addition to failing a sobriety test.

Mike Pendleton - March 27, 2020

Eric Nicksick has been around Xtreme Couture since 2007 and has worked with fighters from all over the world. As of now, Nicksick works with the likes of Francis Ngannou, Dan Ige, Jessica Eye, Puna Soriano and Jeremy Kennedy to name a few. Nicksick has an excellent success rate with his fighters, and he believes that’s due to his dedication to understanding why they fight.

Tom Taylor - March 25, 2020

Francis Ngannou says he has been tested for the coronavirus — and that the test was facilitated by the UFC. Ngannou announced that he’s been tested for the virus on a recent episode of Submission Radio.

Mike Pendleton - March 24, 2020

Francis Ngannou entered the UFC in 2015 just five fights into his professional career, and skyrocketed throughout the division due to his performances inside the Octagon. In just over two years upon entering the UFC, Ngannou would go on a six-fight winning streak which would lead him to get a title shot against Stipe Miocic. Although he would come up short in his attempt at UFC gold, Francis Ngannou showed he could still hang with the very best heavyweights in the world. Following his fight against Miocic, Ngannou would drop his second consecutive fight in a lackluster showing against Derrick Lewis, and then change followed shortly thereafter.

Adam Martin - March 19, 2020

UFC heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis is calling for a rematch with Francis Ngannou, hoping to redeem himself after their first fight was a snoozer. Lewis and Ngannou first met back at UFC 226 in a highly-anticipated heavyweight bout between two knockout artists. Unfortunately for the fans, the fight turned out to be a stinker, with neither man engaging with each other on the feet, leading to one of the most boring fights in recent memory. Lewis won the fight and it earned him a title shot against Daniel Cormier at UFC 230, but two years later and he wants to right the wrong of how disappointing the fight was for the fans to watch.

Tom Taylor - March 16, 2020

Francis Ngannou is glad the UFC is moving forward with his fight with Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Ngannou and Rozenstruik were originally expected to fight in the main event of UFC Columbus on March 28. Amid the exploding COVID-19 pandemic, however, the fight was relocated to the UFC’s new Apex facility in Las Vegas — though that location is now up in the air as well, as the Nevada Athletic Commission has banned all combat sports events until March 25 and could extend the ban beyond that.

Adam Martin - March 13, 2020

UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou has released a statement after the UFC Columbus card was moved to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Ngannou was expected to headline the UFC Columbus card on March 28 against fellow heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik, but the coronavirus outbreak put the entire event in jeopardy. The UFC announced on Thursday that the Columbus card, as well as April’s Portland, Oregon card, would be moved to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Tom Taylor - March 11, 2020

On Wednesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine laid out new rules “in regard to mass gatherings in Ohio.” These rules immediately stand out as a problem for the upcoming UFC Columbus event. Shortly, we will be issuing rules in regard to mass gatherings in #Ohio. Every expert has told us that there is a risk in any kind of mass gathering – the closer you are to other people, the bigger the risk. You must ask yourself if going to a large gathering is necessary.

Mike Heck - February 25, 2020

Francis Ngannou wants another opportunity to fight for the UFC heavyweight title, but to get that shot, he’ll have to get through the surging Jairzinho Rozenstruik. The heavyweight clash will headline UFC on ESPN 8 on March 28. The event takes place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Adam D Martin - February 5, 2020

UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou shared a picture of himself looking jacked ahead of his fight against Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Columbus. Ngannou is always in phenomenal shape for his fights but it appears he’s gone one step further in preparation for his fight against the undefeated Rozenstruik next month in Columbus. The card takes place on March 28 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Natasha Hooper - December 18, 2019

Francis Ngannou is set to return to the Octagon against Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Fight Columbus in March. The heavy hitter is leading the way as the favorite to win in their the upcoming fight. Ngannou last fought in June of 2019, when he took on Junior Dos Santos in the main event of UFC Minneapolis. The 33-year old utilized his striking to accomplish a first-round victory. “The Predator” currently has three back-to-back first-round finishes. Prior to Junior Dos Santos, the heavyweight star beat Curtis Blaydes and Cain Velasquez by TKO  in under a minute each.

Natasha Hooper - December 13, 2019

Francis Ngannou shut down rumours that he’s avoiding an Alexander Volkov fight in the most abrupt way possible. The heavy-hitter, Ngannou, has been busy striking his way through the heavyweight division. His last three fights have all ended in first-round with victories against Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos. News recently broke that he will be fighting rising heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the main event of UFC Columbus in Ohio, March 2020.

Chris Taylor - November 30, 2019

UFC heavyweight knockout artist Francis Ngannou (14-3 MMA) has been hounding his employer to book him a fight. ‘The Predator’ has not stepped foot inside the Octagon since June’s UFC event in Minneapolis, where he needed just over a minute to dispose of former heavyweight kingpin Junior dos Santos by way of TKO.

Harry Kettle - November 28, 2019

UFC heavyweight Junior dos Santos has taken a shot at former rival Francis Ngannou due to some recent comments from the former title challenger. Dos Santos and Ngannou went to war in a thrilling 70-second showdown at UFC Minneapolis this past summer. While dos Santos had some kicking success, he ultimately couldn’t handle the overwhelming power of his opponent as Ngannou was able to defeat him via TKO.