Biography
Francis Zavier Ngannou (born September 5, 1989), known simply as Francis Ngannou, is a versatile athlete who excels as a mixed martial artist and professional boxer.
He recently signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he will compete in the high-stakes “superfight” division of pay-per-view events.
With exceptional skill and unwavering dedication to his craft, Francis Ngannou looks to leave a significant mark on both the MMA and boxing worlds.
Cameroonian-French mixed martial artist and professional boxer
Francis Ngannou |
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 Francis Ngannou: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| Full name: | Francis Zavier Ngannou |
| Stage name: | Francis Ngannou |
| Born: | September 5, 1986 (age 37) |
| Place of birth: | Batié, Cameroon |
| Nationality: | Cameroon, France |
| Education: | Do not have |
| Height: | 1.93 minutes |
| Parents: | Mother Ngannou, Emmanuel Fosso |
| Siblings: | Do not have |
| Couple: | Unmarried |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Miesha Tate |
| The children: | Do not have |
| Job: | Mixed martial arts fighter • Boxer |
| Net worth: | $5 million – $7 million |
Early life and education
Francis Ngannou, an incredibly talented athlete, was born on September 5, 1989, in the humble village of Batié in Cameroon. Growing up in extreme poverty, he faced many challenges and had little access to formal education.
When he was just six years old, Francis Ngannou’s parents, Emmanuel Fosso and Mamma Ngannou, divorced, resulting in him being sent to live with his aunt. Unfortunately, there is no information about his siblings.
Career
After starting his MMA journey in November 2013, Francis Ngannou competed primarily in the popular French promotion 100% Fight along with various regional promotions across Europe. With an impressive record of 5 wins and 1 loss, he eventually caught the attention of the UFC and was signed by them.
After joining the UFC in December 2015, Ngannou quickly gained a reputation for his impressive power and ability to take down opponents. He achieved a remarkable feat by winning his first six UFC fights, all via knockout or TKO. Despite suffering a loss to Derrick Lewis in July 2018, Ngannou showed resilience by winning two straight, one of which was a knockout of Curtis Blaydes in November of that year.
Francis Ngannou faced Stipe Miocic in January 2019 for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Unfortunately, he was defeated in the fight via unanimous decision. However, Ngannou’s persistence paid off as he secured a rematch opportunity by winning his next two fights.
Ngannou regained the UFC heavyweight title in March 2021 when he faced Miocic for the second time. Showing his dominance, Ngannou scored a second-round knockout win to capture the UFC heavyweight title. He successfully defended his title once in January 2022, defeating Ciryl Gane by unanimous decision.
Francis Ngannou joined PFL in December 2022 after failing to reach an agreement on a new contract with the UFC. His move to PFL means he will compete in the heavyweight division.
After pursuing his passion for boxing, Ngannou recently ventured into the sport by signing a multi-fight deal with Bare Knuckle FC, a prominent bare knuckle boxing promotion. Fans can expect his debut in late 2023 as he begins this new chapter of his career.
On October 28, 2023, in Riyadh, a highly anticipated boxing match took place between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. Despite being a former UFC heavyweight champion, Ngannou entered the world of professional boxing for the first time.
Surprisingly, Francis Ngannou knocked Fury down in the third round, much to the excitement of the crowd. However, much to the disappointment of Ngannou and his supporters, Fury managed to escape defeat and win the controversial split decision.
Awards & Nominations
Prize
- 2017: Breakthrough Fighter of the Year (MMA Fighting)
- 2017: Knockout of the Year (ESPN)
- 2017: Knockout of the Year (Pundit Arena)
- 2017: Knockout of the Year (MMAjunkie.com)
- 2017: Knockout of the Year (MMADNA.nl)
- 2021: Sports Humanitarian Award (ESPN)
Nomination
- 2021: Best MMA Fighter (ESPYS)
Social media
- Instagram: @francisngannou
- TikTok: @francisngannou
- YouTube: Francis Ngannou
- Facebook: @FrancisNgannou
- Twitter: @francis_ngannou
- Snapchat: @francisngannou
- Share: @francisngannou
Personal life
Francis Ngannou, 37 years old, always keeps his private life private, not revealing many details to the public.
While it’s clear that Francis Ngannou is neither married nor a parent, speculation has been rife about his romantic relationship with MMA fighter Miesha Tate. However, neither Ngannou nor Tate have officially addressed the rumors.
Net worth
Francis Ngannou’s net worth is believed to be between $5 and $7 million. His main source of money comes from his impressive mixed martial arts career, where he has earned over $2.7 million.
Along with his fighting skills, Ngannou also makes extra money through lucrative sponsorship and endorsement deals.
