Career Timeline of Francis Ngannou: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Francis Ngannou made an impact.

Francis Ngannou is a Cameroonian and French professional mixed martial artist and professional boxer. He is the inaugural PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion and a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. Ngannou competed in the UFC from 2015 to 2022. He is renowned for his exceptional punching power, often regarded as one of the most devastating punchers in UFC heavyweight history. Ngannou secured seven of his fourteen UFC victories by knockout within the first two minutes of the first round. He is considered by some to be the lineal heavyweight champion in mixed martial arts.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 2013: MMA Career Launch

In November 2013, Ngannou began his MMA career, competing primarily in the French promotion 100% Fight and other regional European promotions.

December 2015: UFC Debut

In December 2015, Ngannou made his UFC debut against Luis Henrique at UFC on Fox 17, winning by knockout in the second round.

2015: Ngannou joins UFC

In 2015, Francis Ngannou joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), competing in the heavyweight division.

April 2016: Victory over Curtis Blaydes

In April 2016, Ngannou faced Curtis Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 86, winning by TKO due to a doctor stoppage at the end of the second round.

July 2016: TKO Victory Against Bojan Mihajlović

In July 2016, Ngannou faced Bojan Mihajlović at UFC on Fox 20 and won the fight via TKO in the first round.

December 2016: Submission Victory and Bonus

In December 2016, Ngannou faced Anthony Hamilton at UFC Fight Night 102, winning by submission in the first round and earning his first UFC Performance of the Night bonus.

January 2017: TKO Victory over Andrei Arlovski

In January 2017, Ngannou faced Andrei Arlovski at UFC on Fox 23 and won the fight via TKO in the first round, also earning his second Performance of the Night bonus.

December 2017: Knockout Victory Against Alistair Overeem

In December 2017, Ngannou faced Alistair Overeem at UFC 218, winning by knockout in the first round, and subsequently signed a new, eight-fight contract with the UFC.

January 2018: UFC Heavyweight Championship Loss

In January 2018, Ngannou faced Stipe Miocic for the UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 220, losing the fight via unanimous decision.

July 2018: Loss to Derrick Lewis

In July 2018, Ngannou faced Derrick Lewis at UFC 226 and lost the fight via unanimous decision, with the fight being heavily criticized.

November 2018: Rematch Victory Against Curtis Blaydes

In November 2018, Ngannou faced Curtis Blaydes in a rematch at UFC Fight Night 141, winning the fight via TKO in the first round and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

February 2019: Victory Against Cain Velasquez

In February 2019, Ngannou headlined UFC on ESPN 1 against Cain Velasquez, winning via knockout in the first round.

June 2019: Victory Over Junior dos Santos

In June 2019, Ngannou faced Junior dos Santos at UFC on ESPN 3, winning the fight via technical knockout in the first round and earning the Performance of the Night award.

May 2020: Victory Against Jairzinho Rozenstruik

In May 2020, Ngannou faced Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249, winning via knockout just 20 seconds into the first round and earning the Performance of the Night award.

March 2021: UFC Heavyweight Championship Victory

In March 2021, Ngannou faced Stipe Miocic in a rematch at UFC 260 for the UFC Heavyweight Championship, winning via knockout in the second round and earning the Performance of the Night award.

January 2022: Title Defense Victory Against Ciryl Gane

In January 2022, Ngannou faced Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 for his first title defense, winning the fight by unanimous decision despite an injured knee.

2022: Departure from UFC

In 2022, Francis Ngannou departed from the UFC, where he was the reigning Heavyweight Champion at the time.

January 2023: Stripped of UFC Heavyweight Championship

On 14 January 2023, the UFC Heavyweight Championship was stripped from Ngannou after he and the UFC could not come to terms on a new contract.

May 2023: Signing with the Professional Fighters League (PFL)

In May 2023, Ngannou signed a multi-fight deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), competing in their pay-per-view "super fight" division and negotiated on behalf of his opponents.

October 2023: Professional Boxing Debut Against Tyson Fury

In October 2023, Ngannou made his professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, knocking down Fury and losing by a controversial split decision.

2023: Ngannou's opponent Renan Ferreira's championship

In October 2024, Ngannou beat 2023 PFL Heavyweight Champion and PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions title holder Renan Ferreira.

January 2024: The Francis Ngannou Foundation

In January 2024 the Francis Ngannou Foundation claimed to have 26,000 beneficiaries.

February 2024: MMA Return Announcement

On 22 February 2024, it was announced that Ngannou would make his MMA return against the winner of Renan Ferreira vs Ryan Bader heavyweight bout at PFL vs. Bellator on 24 February 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

March 2024: Loss to Anthony Joshua

In March 2024, Ngannou faced Anthony Joshua in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and lost by second-round knockout.

October 2024: PFL Heavyweight Superfight Championship Win

In October 2024, Ngannou faced Renan Ferreira at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants and won the fight by knockout, claiming the PFL Heavyweight Superfight Championship.