Francis " The Predator" Ngannou
Born in Cameroon, Francis endured a challenging childhood marked by an abusive father. Witnessing the fear in his mother’s eyes, he made a promise to himself to protect her from that pain. However, his circumstances were difficult; he was eventually forced out of school because he couldn’t afford to buy basic school supplies. He decided to be a sand miner to earn money at the age of 10 and provide for his mother, although the job is meant for adults.
"Before I left Cameroon, I went to see my mom, she didn't why I was there for that long. I was staring at my mom like this may be the last time I will ever see her, but I have to do this." - Francis Ngannou.
In 2013, motivated by dreams of becoming a professional boxer, Ngannou made the life-changing decision to leave Cameroon. At 26 years old, he embarked on a journey that would take him across multiple countries and put him in dangerous situations. He initially traveled to Nigeria, where he sought to find a way to Europe. From Nigeria, Ngannou began the dangerous trek through the Sahara Desert. This leg of the journey was fraught with danger, as many migrants faced extreme weather conditions, dehydration, and the threat of violence. Ngannou traveled with a group, sharing the journey's challenges while relying on each other for support.
"Going through the desert you have to grab the truck so hard, and you will get cramps, but you can't let go, because the truck will not stop for anyone, and letting go is like letting your life go." - Francis Ngannou
During this time, he experienced the harsh realities of migration. The group often had to navigate treacherous terrain, and there were moments when hope seemed dim. Despite these obstacles, Ngannou’s determination to reach Europe kept him going. After enduring the harrowing journey through the Sahara, Ngannou finally reached Europe, arriving in France in 2013. However, his challenges were far from over. With no money and limited connections, he found himself homeless in Paris. Ngannou struggled to make ends meet, taking on various odd jobs, including working in construction and doing manual labor.
Despite the difficulties of living on the streets, Ngannou maintained his focus on his dream of becoming a fighter. He often trained in parks or gyms when he could find access, showing an incredible level of dedication and resilience. Ngannou's breakthrough came when he discovered the MMA Factory in Paris. Under the guidance of experienced coaches, he began to train seriously in mixed martial arts. His natural athleticism and power quickly became apparent, and he honed his skills diligently.
In 2015, Ngannou made his professional MMA debut, and his career began to gain momentum. His impressive performances caught the attention of promoters, leading to opportunities in the sport. He joined the UFC in 2017, where he quickly rose through the heavyweight ranks. However, a man stood in the way of Francis and his dream: the greatest heavyweight of all time, Stipe Miocic.
"I couldn't sleep, I went to sleep I didn't want the sun to rise the next day" - Francis Ngannou on his loss against Stipe Miocic
Francis experienced his first-ever loss in the UFC, which deeply affected him. However, upon returning to Cameroon, the warm welcome he received from his home country lifted his spirits and provided him with much-needed encouragement. Francis will later bounce back after winning four fights in a row with a combined time of less than three minutes he finally climbed his way back up to a title against the man who handed him his first-ever loss in the UFC, Stipe Miocic, this time in spectacular fashion Francis finally achieved his dream in winning the world championship.
In 2023, Francis left the UFC as the reigning champion to pursue his dream of boxing. In his debut match, he faced heavyweight great Tyson Fury. Despite widespread skepticism about his ability to transition from MMA to boxing—especially since Tyson had a fight lined up before facing him—Ngannou was determined to prove himself. A man he looked up to, the legendary Mike Tyson, stepped in to help him train for this challenging task, inspiring him to follow his dream.
The bout turned out to be a thrilling back-and-forth battle, and many spectators believed Francis had emerged victorious. However, the judges ultimately awarded Tyson a split-decision win. Despite the outcome, Francis earned the respect of fans and fighters alike that night, showcasing his skill and heart in the ring.
The year 2024 was a devastating one for Francis. In March, he faced one of the top boxers, Anthony Joshua, and suffered a loss. Just a month later, tragedy struck when his 15-month-old son, Kobe, passed away.
Despite these hardships, Francis made his long-awaited return to MMA, this time in the PFL (the second-largest MMA promotion in the U.S.). He was set to fight a towering 6'7" opponent, the reigning PFL heavyweight champion. Many doubted Francis, especially at the age of 39 and after his loss to Joshua. However, he once again defied expectations and proved his resilience. After the fight, overwhelmed with emotion, Francis burst into tears, reflecting on the weight of his journey and the triumph of his comeback.
"I can't think about anything but my son Kobe, I hope you guys can remember his name because without him I wouldn't be here tonight." - Francis Ngannou on winning his comeback after his son passed away