History of Francis Ngannou in Timeline

Francis Ngannou is a Cameroonian-French mixed martial artist and professional boxer. He is the current PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion and formerly competed in the UFC, where he was the Heavyweight Champion. Renowned for his formidable punching power, Ngannou is considered one of the most devastating punchers in UFC heavyweight history, with numerous first-round knockout victories. He is regarded as the lineal heavyweight champion in mixed martial arts.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 2013: Starts MMA career

In November 2013, Francis Ngannou began his mixed martial arts career. He primarily competed in the French promotion 100% Fight and other regional European promotions, accumulating a record of 5 wins and 1 loss before joining the UFC.

December 2015: UFC debut against Luis Henrique

On December 19, 2015, Francis Ngannou made his UFC debut at UFC on Fox 17, facing Luis Henrique. Ngannou won the fight by knockout in the second round.

April 2016: Fight against Curtis Blaydes

On April 10, 2016, Francis Ngannou faced Curtis Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 86. Ngannou won the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage at the end of the second round.

July 2016: Fight against Bojan Mihajlović

On July 23, 2016, Francis Ngannou fought Bojan Mihajlović at UFC on Fox 20. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

December 2016: Fight against Anthony Hamilton

On December 9, 2016, Francis Ngannou faced Anthony Hamilton at UFC Fight Night 102. Ngannou won the fight by submission in the first round, earning his first UFC Performance of the Night bonus.

January 2017: Fight against Andrei Arlovski

On January 28, 2017, Francis Ngannou faced Andrei Arlovski at UFC on Fox 23. Ngannou won the fight via TKO in the first round, earning his second Performance of the Night bonus.

September 2017: Fight against Junior dos Santos cancelled

In September 2017, Francis Ngannou was scheduled to face Junior dos Santos at UFC 215, but dos Santos was pulled from the match on August 18 due to a potential USADA violation. Consequently, Ngannou was removed from the card because a suitable replacement opponent could not be arranged.

December 2017: Fight against Alistair Overeem at UFC 218

On December 2, 2017, Francis Ngannou faced Alistair Overeem at UFC 218. He won the fight via knockout in the first round, which has been described as one of the greatest and most brutal knockouts ever. Following the fight, Ngannou signed a new eight-fight contract with the UFC.

2017: Sets world record for hardest punch

In 2017, Francis Ngannou set the world record for the hardest punch ever recorded on the PowerKube, registering a measurement of 129,161 franklin.

January 2018: Fight for the UFC Heavyweight Championship against Stipe Miocic

On January 20, 2018, Francis Ngannou fought Stipe Miocic for the UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 220. Ngannou lost the fight via unanimous decision.

July 2018: Fight against Derrick Lewis at UFC 226

On July 7, 2018, Francis Ngannou faced Derrick Lewis at UFC 226. Ngannou lost the fight via unanimous decision. The fight was heavily criticized for the lack of offense.

November 2018: Rematch against Curtis Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 141

On November 24, 2018, Francis Ngannou faced Curtis Blaydes in a rematch at UFC Fight Night 141. Ngannou won the fight via TKO early in the first round, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

February 2019: Main event against Cain Velasquez at UFC on ESPN 1

On February 17, 2019, Francis Ngannou headlined UFC on ESPN 1 against Cain Velasquez. Ngannou won via knockout in the first round.

June 2019: Fight against Junior dos Santos at UFC on ESPN 3

On June 29, 2019, Francis Ngannou fought Junior dos Santos at UFC on ESPN 3. Ngannou won the fight via technical knockout in the first round, earning a Performance of the Night award.

March 2020: Scheduled fight against Jairzinho Rozenstruik postponed

In March 2020, Francis Ngannou was scheduled to face Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed.

April 2020: Rescheduled fight against Jairzinho Rozenstruik postponed

In April 2020, the fight between Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik was rescheduled for UFC 249 on April 18, 2020. However, on April 9, UFC President Dana White announced that the event was postponed.

May 2020: Fight against Jairzinho Rozenstruik

On May 9, 2020, Francis Ngannou fought Jairzinho Rozenstruik after multiple postponements due to COVID-19. Ngannou won via knockout just 20 seconds into the first round, earning the Performance of the Night award.

March 2021: Rematch against Stipe Miocic for the UFC Heavyweight Championship

On March 27, 2021, the rematch between Francis Ngannou and Stipe Miocic took place at UFC 260 for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Ngannou won via knockout in the second round, earning him the Performance of the Night award.

January 2022: First title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270

On January 22, 2022, Francis Ngannou faced Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane for his first title defense at UFC 270. Despite injuring knee ligaments three and a half weeks before the fight, Ngannou won the fight by unanimous decision, marking the first decision win of his career.

January 2023: UFC Heavyweight Championship Stripped

On January 14, 2023, Francis Ngannou was stripped of the UFC Heavyweight Championship after he and the UFC could not agree on a new contract. His contract expired in mid-December, and the UFC waived its one-year matching rights clause, making Ngannou a free agent.

May 2023: Signs with Professional Fighters League (PFL)

On May 16, 2023, it was announced that Francis Ngannou signed a multi-fight deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He will compete in their pay-per-view "super fight" division and is free to compete in other sports like boxing. His contract includes guaranteed pay for his opponents, a role on PFL's advisory board, and ownership in PFL Africa.

October 2023: Boxing match against Tyson Fury

On October 28, 2023, Francis Ngannou faced Tyson Fury in a professional boxing match called "Battle of the Baddest" in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ngannou knocked down Fury in the third round but lost via controversial split decision.

January 2024: The Francis Ngannou Foundation

In January 2024, the Francis Ngannou Foundation, founded and initially solely funded by Ngannou, which runs the first MMA gym in Cameroon, has reached 26,000 beneficiaries. The foundation also donates educational materials and sets up computer labs.

February 2024: MMA Return Announced at PFL vs. Bellator

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

March 2024: Fight against Anthony Joshua

On March 8, 2024, Francis Ngannou faced Anthony Joshua in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and lost by second-round knockout.

April 29, 2024: Death of son Kobe

On April 29, 2024, Francis Ngannou announced the death of his 15-month-old son, Kobe, due to a brain malformation.

October 2024: Wins PFL Heavyweight Superfight Championship

On October 19, 2024, Francis Ngannou faced Renan Ferreira for the PFL Heavyweight Superfight Championship at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants. Ngannou won the fight by knockout via ground punches in the first round.

April 2025: Reportedly Involved in a Motorcycle Accident

In April 2025, Francis Ngannou was reportedly involved in a motorcycle accident in Yaoundé, Cameroon, that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old girl, Ntsama Brigitte Manuella.