Francis Ngannou News
Jon Jones feels a heavyweight fight with Francis Ngannou 'is inevitable'
Natasha Hooper - October 23, 2019
Jon Jones has plenty of interesting matchups on the menu, and a fight with Francis Ngannou is one of the most compelling of the bunch. Jones faced some adversity in the form of Thiago Santos during his last fight. He defeated ‘Marreta’ by split decision in July at UFC 239. Since then, he has not set foot in the cage, but has remained in the headlines.
Francis Ngannou reacts after UFC gives Alexander Volkov fight to Greg Hardy
Thomas Taylor - October 22, 2019
When Junior dos Santos withdrew from his UFC Moscow headlining fight with Alexander Volkov, Francis Ngannou suggested that he’d be willing to step in and replace him. In the end, however, the opportunity to fight Volkov on short notice was instead offered to the amply less experienced Greg Hardy. Hardy and Volkov will now collide in the UFC Moscow co-main event.
Junior dos Santos withdraws from UFC Moscow main event, Francis Ngannou considers stepping in
Tom Taylor - October 22, 2019
Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos was expected to battle Russia’s Alexander Volkov in the main event of the upcoming UFC Moscow card, scheduled for Nov 9. According to ESPN, however, a bout of cellulitis has forced dos Santos out of this contest, leaving the UFC to search frantically for a replacement opponent for Volkov. The good news is that the UFC already has one option in terms of a new opponent for the Russian: Francis Ngannou. Ngannou threw his name in the hat on Twitter shortly after news of dos Santos’ withdrawal from the card surfaced.
Walt Harris open to fighting Jon Jones or Francis Ngannou next
Adam Martin - October 21, 2019
UFC heavyweight contender Walt Harris says he is open to a superfight against his “friend” Jon Jones and to a heavyweight matchup against Francis Ngannou. Harris is one of the hottest heavyweights in the UFC with a four-fight unbeaten streak that including a 12-second TKO win over Aleksei Oleinik in his last fight. He is currently set to headline his first UFC event when he takes on veteran Alistair Overeem in the main event of UFC Washington, D.C. in December.
Francis Ngannou expresses frustration with UFC and lack of a fight
Mike Pendleton - October 18, 2019
Greg Hardy confident he will knock out Francis Ngannou & Stipe Miocic down the line
Cole Shelton - October 16, 2019
Greg Hardy is set for his fourth UFC fight and fourth bout of 2019 at UFC Boston. There, the former NFL star will be taking on promotional newcomer, Ben Sosoli. Although it is not a ranked opponent like Greg Hardy has wanted, he knows that time will come. For now, he is focusing on paying his dues and fighting the ‘middle class’ of the UFC like every other person before getting to the top. But, when he gets to the top, he expects to knock those top ranked opponents out.
Anthony "Rumble" Johnson open to fighting Francis Ngannou
Adam Martin - October 8, 2019
Former UFC light heavyweight title contender Anthony “Rumble” Johnson told the media on Tuesday that he is targeting an April 2020 return to the Octagon as a heavyweight. He also said that when he comes back he is open to fighting top-ranked Francis Ngannou. Johnson was one of a number of fighters at the Dominance MMA media day in Los Angeles. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto asked Johnson if he is interested in fighting Ngannou, who is currently looking for an opponent. “Rumble” said yes, he is open to fighting “The Predator.”
Francis Ngannou urges UFC to book him a fight, Gilbert Burns responds
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou is urging the promotion to book him for a fight, and a surprise opponent has thrown his name in the hat. “The Predator” took to Twitter to express his displeasure to the UFC for not booking him in a fight since his knockout win over Junior dos Santos in June. It appears that Ngannou is getting restless and wants to fight again as soon as possible.
Francis Ngannou wants 'revenge' on Stipe Miocic in 2019
Tom Taylor - September 19, 2019
Francis Ngannou fell short in his first bid to steal the UFC heavyweight belt from Stipe Miocic, but is eager for a chance to right this wrong. Now on a three-fight win-streak, he feels he’s earned a second crack at the champion, and hopes that opportunity comes before years’ end.
Francis Ngannou explains why Miocic rematch will be different
Tom Taylor - August 27, 2019
In early 2018, Francis Ngannou stepped into the Octagon to battle Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title. The widespread expectation — supported by the bout’s betting odds — was that Ngannou would come out on top in this fight. In the end, however, he was soundly outfought by the amply more experienced champion, losing a lopsided unanimous decision. Today, when Stipe Miocic is once again the heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has repositioned himself as the division’s top contender. A rematch between the two heavyweight stars seems like a foregone conclusion, it’s just a question of when.
Francis Ngannou calls for rematch with Stipe Miocic
Natasha Hooper - August 20, 2019
UFC 241’s main event saw the former heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic rematch Daniel Cormier and reclaim the heavyweight belt. Many heavyweight fighters will now be pushing for the next title shot against the Croatian-American champion and that includes heavy hitter, Francis Ngannou. During an episode on the Ariel Helwani podcast on Monday, the Cameroonian-French fighter revealed he is itching for a rematch against Miocic.
Francis Ngannou lands Hollywood movie role
Adam Martin - August 15, 2019
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou will soon be making his Hollywood debut as he will be a part of the cast for the next “Fast & Furious” film. The gargantuan heavyweight took to social media on Wednesday to confirm that he will indeed be part of “Fast & Furious 9.” Here’s what Ngannou posted.
Fabricio Werdum aims to finish 'The Predator' in UFC return
Cole Shelton - August 8, 2019
Fabricio Werdum is currently sidelined due to a USADA suspension but he has his eyes set on his return fight. During his suspension, he asked for his release, yet the UFC never obliged. Now, he is set to return in May of 2020 and when he does, he wants to fight Francis Ngannou.
Francis Ngannou and the heavyweight Rumble that needs to happen
Natasha Hooper - July 9, 2019
Francis Ngannou (14-3-0) is on a roll and shows no signs of slowing down. “The Predator” scored yet another first-round knockout victory last month at UFC Minneapolis, defeating former champion Junior dos Santos (21-6-0). Francis Ngannou has won three fights back to back. Disposing of Cain Valesquez earlier this year and Curtis Blaydes in 2018, Ngannou is sitting on a trilogy of first-round knockouts.
Johnny Walker won’t rule out a move to heavyweight, believes he can defeat Francis Ngannou
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2019
Johnny Walker is one of the more promising light heavyweight prospects in the UFC. The Brazilian is 17-3 as a pro, and 3-0 in the UFC, with all three wins coming by knockout in under two minutes. Although he is light on experience in the Octagon, the 12th-ranked light heavyweight has his eyes on Francis Ngannou. The 27-year-old says he wouldn’t rule out a move to heavyweight and is confident he would beat Ngannou.
Daniel Cormier on Francis Ngannou: Nothing has changed
Chris Taylor - July 5, 2019
Francis Ngannou picked up another impressive knockout over Junior dos Santos last weekend, but that doesn’t seem to have impressed Daniel Cormier. The reigning UFC heavyweight champion, Cormier, recently spoke with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter where he discussed ‘The Predator’s’ recent surge.
Dana White discusses what could prevent Tony Ferguson and Francis Ngannou title shots
Christopher Taylor - July 5, 2019
UFC President Dana White loves to use the phrase ‘anything can happen’ and that’s just how he feels about potential title shots for Tony Ferguson and Francis Ngannou. During an interview with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, the brash UFC boss was asked what could possibly happen that would prevent either ‘El Cucuy’ or ‘The Predator’ from being denied their respective title shots.
UFC rankings update: Francis Ngannou holds spot at heavyweight
Tom Taylor - July 3, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last Saturday’s UFC Minneapolis card, and as expected there have been a few changes. Interestingly, headliner Francis Ngannou didn’t move on the strength of his 71-second knockout of Junior dos Santos. Instead, he held steady at number two in the heavyweight division.
Opinion | Unspoken roadblock impeding Francis Ngannou’s heavyweight title shot is Jon Jones
Jordy McElroy - July 2, 2019
UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones hasn’t officially committed to a move to heavyweight, but he has hinted strongly that he’d be willing to do so for the right price and the right opponent. Even a mere mention of that potential bombshell move is a roadblock for heavyweight phenom Francis Ngannou, who has rightfully staked his claim as the top contender after delivering consecutive first-round knockouts over Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez. The latter is undoubtedly the most jaw-dropping takeaway from the weekend’s UFC on ESPN 3 festivities, along with UFC President Dana White’s lukewarm response after witnessing Ngannou’s ham-sized fists dribble off dos Santos’ skull.