Francis Ngannou News

Justin Golightly - November 29, 2017

Francis Ngannou is just a couple of days away from fighting Alistair Overeem in the biggest fight of his career. It’s a story as old as the UFC itself: Two heavyweights, one a young lion trying to get to the top against a veteran who intends to keep his stop at the top. It just so happens that this fight takes place in the UFC’s largest division, where pretty much anyone can knock anyone else out. Especially when one of those guys is a K-1 champion and the other just set the record for the hardest punch. Joe Rogan marked out for the young Ngannou recently on his podcast. “He’s fighting this weekend and Francis Ngannou just broke the world record for the most power ever shown in a punch. They have this machine that they use worldwide. It’s widely accepted that it’s one of the best way to measure a punch. It’s this large pad and you hit it with full power and it generates it. Francis Ngannou beat the second place by some insane amount of power. He’s a ridiculously powerful dude. He scares the sh-t out of everybody. It shows what the original world record was, then Ngannou broke it by like 3000-pounds or some sh-t. He’s terrifying. You know they found this dude, he was a homeless guy. He was homeless living in France and he made his way into a gym. I believe he wanted to box and when they brought him in.”

Justin Golightly - November 25, 2017

We all knew Francis Ngannou hits hard, just ask the four opponents he’s stopped in the UFC with his thundering strikes. As if this needed anymore testing, the folks at UFC took Ngannou to undergo some sophisticated testing that looks like the kind of stuff Ivan Drago was doing in that Rocky IV movie. Remember when he punched those electronically-rigged pads and the numbers skyrocketed? Yeah, that happened in real life and it turns out that Ngannou supposedly the hardest-punching dude in the world, or at least the hardest so far to punch on this machine. I currently hold the world records of punching power #thepredator #UFC218 pic.twitter.com/eZ1WLGaylU

Justin Golightly - November 17, 2017

If Fabricio Werdum’s turnaround from UFC 216 seems quick, that’s because it is, but Werdum knows what he’s doing. He’s been doing everything he can to get back the title that Stipe Miocic took from here and stacking together dominant performances in a short amount of time will only sway his chances. In an interview before his UFC Sydney fight, Werdum states that’s all he’s been waiting for and that surging contender Francis Ngannou just isn’t there yet. “I want to show inside the cage that I’m waiting for the title shot. This, I think is the best way. I put in my mind, I’m just waiting for the title shot. How long am I waiting? I don’t want to have to wait for too much. I wait for like six months and one year for a [second] fight with Stipe Miocic. My big goal is not Stipe Miocic. My big goal is the belt. I want the belt. That’s it. It doesn’t matter who is there. In my mind, I’m waiting, waiting, waiting for a long time for the fight. I’m waiting, waiting, waiting and maybe these guys don’t get an opportunity. I want to show I’m waiting for the fight, for the title shot again. I have two belts in my home. I want number three.”

Justin Golightly - November 2, 2017

Back in the beginning of October, the UFC announced a partnership with a drink company co-founded by Kobe Bryant named BODYARMOR. The press release revealed just how involved they would be, especially inside the new UFC Performance Institute. Before the ink dried on the contract, we all knew this would eventually lead to sponsorships of UFC fighters. After the final UFC 217 presser today, BODYARMOR had their own time to officially present the new fighters signed on to team BODYARMOR. We’re at the launch of the first ever official UFC drinks partner @DrinkBODYARMOR. Recognize anyone up there on the stage? pic.twitter.com/BQ4B5AbLKo

Justin Golightly - October 11, 2017

The hype train is no longer locked at the UFC station. Francis Ngannou has finally been booked to fight Alistair Overeem after pacing on the sidelines. Ngannou was supposed to fight Junior dos Santos at UFC 215, but after JDS got pulled Ngannou had to search for other options. He had his eye on both the UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and Alistair Overeem, but it looks like he’ll have to wait a little while longer for the title shot. Ngannou is confident though that he’ll get his shot, after he knocks out Overeem that is. “I was very frustrated because my last fight was in January. I hoped to fight in September, but they pulled my opponent out. It’s a good match-up, definitely. I knew that I would fight Alistair Overeem one day, so I’ve been ready for this fight since a long time ago. I think after this fight, there is no way to not give me [the] title shot. Overeem now is a bigger challenge than Junior dos Santos because he is on a good [run]. He’s doing a good job right now and he keeps winning.”

Justin Golightly - September 26, 2017

The fight triangle between the elite heavyweight beasts is still ongoing. Francis Ngannou was robbed of a giant clash with Junior dos Santos that assuredly would have propelled his career to the top if he managed to come out with a win against the former UFC heavyweight champ. Ever since then, he’s been very vocal about fights with both Alistair Overeem and belt holder Stipe Miocic. He’s up for either one still, but of course he’d rather fight the man with the strap. Not only does he like his chances to win, but Francis Ngannou thinks he could knock out Miocic. “I already know everything [Stipe Miocic and Alistair Overeem] are able to do. Everyone knows all of their skills. They don’t know mine. They’re still discovering mine. I’m bringing a surprise in every fight. I’ve never had the opportunity to show my whole game yet. I knock Stipe out when we fight. I think under three rounds, I knock him out.”

Tom Taylor - September 7, 2017

On this week’s episode of the MMA Hour, surging French heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou asserted that, because no other heavyweight contenders are available for a fight, he deserves a crack at reigning heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic. “After [Junior Dos Santos] was pulled from [our UFC 215 fight] all the top-10, almost all of the top-15 was booked,” Ngannou told host Ariel Helwani. “The only one available was [Alistair] Overeem. He said he’s injured […] and he took a little time for family.”

Tom Taylor - September 5, 2017

If things had gone according to plan, surging French-Congolese heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou would be battling Junior Dos Santos on the main card of UFC 215 this weekend. Regrettably, this bout – which would have been the biggest of Ngannou’s career so far– was scrapped when Dos Santos was notified of a potential United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) violation. On today’s special Tuesday edition of The MMA Hour, Ngannou weighed in on where Dos Santos’ withdrawal leaves him, and what might come next. Initially, as we know, he was hoping for a replacement opponent. Yet with most of the heavyweight division booked, and the only available opponent nursing an injury, he’s decided it’s time for a title shot. From there, he can take on the rest division as title challengers.

Justin Golightly - August 26, 2017

You have to feel for Francis Ngannou. He’s a young beast lighting up the heavyweight division, he just got the biggest opportunity of his life fighting Junior dos Santos, and it was all taken away from him through no fault of his own. He didn’t just sit around feeling bad for himself, he called out Alistair freakin’ Overeem. Unfortunately, even he wasn’t available to fight Ngannou. Looking around the top, there’s no one else. So, why not shoot for the stars? Francis Ngannou just called out the champ, Stipe Miocic. Alistair said his foot is still injured and can’t fight as soon ! so I don’t have a replacement for #UFC215

Justin Golightly - August 19, 2017

There were two new beasts rising up in the UFC’s heavyweight division and everyone wanted them to fight. That was, until Derrick Lewis lost to Mark Hunt and Francis Ngannou eradicated Andrei Arlovski in under two minutes. Such is the nature of the combat game, one of them is moving on while the other is stalled. Unfortunately for Ngannou, his next fight against Junior dos Santos at UFC 215 has been called off due to a potential violation of USADA‘s anti-doping regulations. He’s not moping around twiddling his huge thumbs though, he’s called out the one guy who is free that he believes a win over could get him a title shot: Alistair Overeem. @Alistairovereem been mentioning my name everywhere . I’m now open and free for you guy . Let do this at #ufc215🔥🔥🔥

Chris Taylor - August 18, 2017

Not even an hour ago the UFC announced that former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos had been pulled from his scheduled UFC 215 bout with Francis Ngannou. “JDS” was flagged for a potential anti-doping violation by USADA and was subsequently removed from the September 9 event.

Tom Taylor - August 10, 2017

Good lord. Check out the hand speed of UFC heavyweight @francis_ngannou. https://t.co/XSpeVToFzw pic.twitter.com/RAtFR8DMlp — Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) August 10, 2017

Tom Taylor - June 27, 2017

Shortly after his UFC Fight Night 110 TKO loss to Mark Hunt, heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis surprised the MMA community by announcing that he may have fought his last fight in MMA. On Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, however, Lewis confirmed that he will probably fight again – and soon. “We’re just hoping that we don’t have to get surgery, because I thought about it a little bit, and it’s not going to be my last fight,” Lewis said. “I’m going to try to get back in there as soon as I can, and we’ll find out Wednesday, see what’s going on and if it’s not too serious. Hopefully I can get back in there before the end of the year.”

Tom Taylor - June 12, 2017

Over the weekend, in the main event of UFC Auckland, hulking UFC heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis experienced a hype-derailing loss to the veteran Mark Hunt. Shortly after this loss, Lewis surprised onlookers by announcing that he may have fought his last fight in the UFC’s Octagon. Given that real heavyweight contenders are few and far between, Lewis’ departure from the sport would be a definite disappointment. Luckily, we still have his rival Francis Ngannou, who has simultaneously made his own rise up the UFC heavyweight ranks. While Lewis battled Hunt in New Zealand, Ngannou was back in his new home of Las Vegas, Nevada. The heavyweight destroyer relocated to Vegas from Paris in search of more elite training partners and high-level coaching and facilities.

Tom Taylor - May 29, 2017

According to a report from Ariel Helwani, streaking heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou could return to the Octagon this August against his biggest test yet: former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos. The bout is being targeted for UFC 215, which is scheduled for August 19 in Seattle, Washington. UFC would like to book Francis Ngannou vs. Junior dos Santos for the yet-to-be announced 8/19 PPV, per sources, but it’s not done yet.

bjpenndotcom - May 27, 2017

Just two weeks ago, former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos found himself knocked out by Stipe Miocic in a failed bid for the UFC heavyweight title. Despite just being knocked out two weeks ago, the UFC is already apparently targeting dos Santos’ next fight.

Tom Taylor - May 15, 2017

Last weekend, UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic defended his title for a second time, clubbing Junior Dos Santos to a first-round stoppage. This win impressed the hell out of most members of the MMA community – but not surging contender Francis Ngannou. On Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, the hulking Frenchman explained that he’s not particularly impressed by the heavyweight champion, and that he considers oft-injured former champ Cain Velasquez to be the true heavyweight king.

Tom Taylor - April 11, 2017

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOZ3Yl5BuTi/?hl=en The UFC heavyweight division is always hurting for fresh, young talent. This is precisely why it’s been such a pleasure watching hulking, 6’4 Cameroonian-Frenchman Francis Ngannou rise through the division’s ranks. He is far and away the most exciting prospect in the division.