Francis Ngannou News

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

Russell Ess - October 17, 2017

With Conor McGregor being the big draw in the UFC, many fighters are looking to follow his blueprint for success in being a killer on the mic and backing it up in the Octagon. However, not all fighters are programmed that way or may have a hard time connecting with an English speaking audience as fighters come from all over the world.

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 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 - September 2, 2017

Francis Ngannou is a guy that no one seems to want to fight. He was supposed to fight Junior dos Santos at the upcoming UFC 215 card, but JDS was pulled due to an unfortunate potential anti-doping violation by USADA. Since then, he’s called out Alistair Overeem and even UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic himself. Neither accepted the fight. It looks like it was just bad timing though, because Overeem just announced at a recent Q & A that he’s down to fight Ngannou. Not only that, but they could square off in the Octagon at UFC 217 or UFC 219. https://twitter.com/francis_ngannou/status/901165201273126912

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🔥🔥🔥

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 28, 2017

UFC 215 just grew by one massive heavyweight showdown. This tilt will see former heavyweight champion and recent title challenger Junior Dos Santos collide with surging French contender Francis Ngannou. This fight, which has been rumored for some time, was announced on the UFC’s official Facebook page. The UFC also announced a light heavyweight bout between long-time Swedish contender Ilir Latifi and Australian prospect Tyson Pedro.

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.

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 24, 2017

In a few short weeks, in the main event of the UFC’s upcoming trip to New Zealand, streaking heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis will face the biggest test of his career in MMA legend Mark Hunt. Should he pass this test, Lewis is likely to line himself up for a heavyweight number one contender fight, perhaps with fellow contender Francis Ngannou. Given their concurrent rises into contendership, much has been made of a possible Lewis vs. Ngannou fight. Apparently, this is something Lewis is interested in, though he thinks Ngannou is overhyped.

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.

Tom Taylor - March 2, 2017

Back in January, on the main card of UFC on Fox 23, French-Cameroonian heavyweight Francis Ngannou picked up a crushing first-round knockout win over former champion Andrei Arlovski. With this win, Ngannou burst into the upper half of the UFC heavyweight top-15, where other massive tests now await him. According to a report from MMAJunkie.com, Ngannou’s next test will occur when the UFC returns to beautiful Stockholm, Sweden on May 28. This test will pit the rising contender against Dutch veteran Stefan “The Skyscraper” Struve, who towers above his opposition at a whopping seven feet tall.

Tom Taylor - February 28, 2017

Earlier this month, in the main event of the UFC’s latest trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, monstrous heavyweight Derrick Lewis braved a bit of early adversity to pound the dangerous Travis Browne to a second-round KO. With this win, the Texas based destroyer set himself up for some massive potential fights in the UFC heavyweight division, any number of which would push him right to the cusp of a title shot. On Monday’s edition of the MMA Hour, Lewis discussed the options for his next fight with host Ariel Helwani. During this segment, he addressed widespread interest in a fight with fellow contender Francis Ngannou, who recently dazzled with a veritable execution of former champ Andrei Arlovski. Lewis explained that if this is the fight he’s offered, he’ll take it, because he knows it’s one the fans want.