Francis Ngannou is a Cameroonian-French mixed martial artist and professional boxer. He is the inaugural PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion. Previously, he competed in the UFC from 2015 to 2022, holding the UFC Heavyweight Champion title upon his exit. Renowned for his exceptional punching power, Ngannou was considered one of the most devastating punchers in UFC's heavyweight division. He secured seven UFC victories by knockout within the first two minutes of round one. He is also recognized as the lineal heavyweight champion in mixed martial arts.
In September 1986, Francis Zavier Ngannou was born. He is a Cameroonian and French professional mixed martial artist and professional boxer.
On January 14, 2023 Ngannou became the first reigning champion to leave the UFC since B.J. Penn in 2004.
In November 2013, Ngannou started his MMA career, fighting mostly in the French promotion 100% Fight and other regional promotions in Europe, compiling a record of 5–1 before signing with the UFC.
In December 19, 2015, Ngannou made his UFC debut against Luis Henrique at UFC on Fox 17 and won the fight via knockout in the second round.
In 2015, Francis Ngannou began his career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight division.
On April 10, 2016, Ngannou faced Curtis Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 86 and won via TKO, due to doctor stoppage at the end of the second round.
On July 23, 2016, Ngannou faced Bojan Mihajlović at UFC on Fox 20 and won via TKO in the first round.
On December 9, 2016, Ngannou faced Anthony Hamilton at UFC Fight Night 102 and won the fight by submission in the first round, earning his first UFC Performance of the Night bonus.
On January 28, 2017, Ngannou faced Andrei Arlovski at UFC on Fox 23 and won via TKO in the first round. He earned his second Performance of the Night bonus.
In September 2017, Ngannou was scheduled to face Junior dos Santos at UFC 215, but the fight was cancelled after dos Santos was notified of a potential USADA violation. Ngannou was removed from the card because a suitable opponent could not be arranged.
On December 2, 2017, Ngannou faced Alistair Overeem at UFC 218 and won via knockout in the first round. After the fight, Ngannou signed an eight-fight contract with the UFC.
In 2017, Ngannou set the world record for the hardest punch ever recorded on the PowerKube, at 129,161 franklin.
On January 20, 2018, Ngannou faced Stipe Miocic for the UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 220 and lost via unanimous decision.
On July 7, 2018, Ngannou faced Derrick Lewis at UFC 226 and lost via unanimous decision. The fight was criticized for a lack of offense.
On November 24, 2018, Ngannou rematched Curtis Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 141 and won via TKO in the first round. He earned a Performance of the Night bonus.
On February 17, 2019, Ngannou headlined the UFC's inaugural event on ESPN, UFC on ESPN 1, against Cain Velasquez and won via knockout in the first round.
On June 29, 2019, Ngannou faced Junior dos Santos at UFC on ESPN 3 and won via technical knockout in the first round. He also received the Performance of the Night award.
In March 2020, Ngannou was initially scheduled to face Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik, but the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In April 2020, the fight between Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik was rescheduled for UFC 249, but the event was again postponed.
On May 9, 2020, Ngannou fought Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249, winning by knockout in just 20 seconds. He earned the Performance of the Night award.
On March 27, 2021, at UFC 260, Ngannou rematched Stipe Miocic for the UFC Heavyweight Championship and won via knockout in the second round. He also earned the Performance of the Night award.
On January 22, 2022, Ngannou faced Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 for his first title defense. Despite having injured knee ligaments, Ngannou won the fight by unanimous decision, marking the first decision win of his career.
In 2022, Francis Ngannou departed from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where he was the reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion.
On January 14, 2023, Ngannou was stripped of the UFC Heavyweight Championship after he and the UFC could not agree to a new contract. He became a free agent after his contract expired in mid-December and the UFC waived its matching rights. He had requested health insurance, sponsorships for all UFC fighters, and fighter advocates during contract negotiations.
In May 2023, Ngannou signed a multi-fight deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). The contract included provisions for Ngannou to compete in other sports and guaranteed opponents at least $2 million, setting what some called "a new standard" in MMA free agency.
In October 2023, Ngannou fought Tyson Fury in a professional boxing match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ngannou knocked Fury down in the third round but ultimately lost via a controversial split decision.
Ngannou faced Renan Ferreira, the 2023 PFL Heavyweight Champion, on 19 October 2024.
In January 2024, the Francis Ngannou Foundation reported that it had 26,000 beneficiaries. The foundation runs the first MMA gym in Cameroon and donates educational materials, including setting up computer labs.
In 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 February 24, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In March 2024, Ngannou faced Anthony Joshua in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and lost by a second-round knockout.
On April 29, 2024, Ngannou announced the death of his 15-month-old son, Kobe, due to a brain malformation.
In October 2024, Ngannou defeated Renan Ferreira by knockout in the first round at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants to win the PFL Heavyweight Superfight Championship.
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