Francis Ngannou's MMA Journey: At What Age Did the Heavyweight Star Begin Training?
Francis Ngannou's MMA Journey: At What Age Did the He...
By Jason Bolton August 25, 2024 23:33
Francis Ngannou, the Cameroonian-French mixed martial artist, is fast becoming a force in the heavyweight division of MMA. Once recognized for his deadly knockout ability and intimidating sheer size, Ngannou's rise to the pinnacle of MMA is exampled by grit, desire, and God-given talent. But when did this dynamo start his career in MMA?
Early Years: Departing Cameroon for France
In the small village of Batié, Cameroon, Francis Zavier Ngannou was born on September 5, 1986. Born into poverty into a family without a formal education, his early life was one of hardship and struggle. From age 10, he worked in a sand quarry to subsidize his family income, which he did not realize at the time would shape him into an Olympic medal strategist.
Ngannou was recruited to join gangs as a young man, but he opted to let his father's street-fighter legend spur him toward a more wholesome route. This decision eventually landed him in the world of combat sports.
The First Steps into Boxing
Everything began for Francis Ngannou in combat sports at age 22 after walking into a boxing gym. His family was initially a little resistant to his decision, but Ngannou won them down. Unfortunately, after training for one year, he was forced to quit because of some health issue.
At the age of 26, Ngannou took a leap and decided to chase his dream of becoming a professional boxer. Such aspiration led him to risk his life on a journey from Cameroon through the Sahara Desert and across the Mediterranean Sea, passing some of Europe's "bravest" cities.
Coming To Paris & Moving Into MMA
When he finally reached Paris, he was homeless and broke. His fortunes changed, though, when he stumbled across a boxing gym and met Didier Carmont. Seeing Ngannou's talent, Carmont let the heavyweight train at his gym for free and into MMA.
It undeniably marked the beginning of Ngannou's journey in MMA. In August 2013, at the age of 27, Ngannou was introduced to Fernand Lopez and his MMA Factory. Lopez recognized Ngannou's transferable boxing skills and steered him towards MMA despite his boxing aptitude.
The Early MMA Career
It was a pretty rapid and interesting transition to MMA. Francis started his professional MMA career in November 2013, a few months after he began training. After starting his career in France-based promotion 100% Fight, Ngannou became a rising star on the European regional scene with five straight finishes.
Rapid Rise and UFC Debut
Just two years into his MMA career, Ngannou was 5-1 as a professional. The UFC is the largest MMA organization on Earth, and it noted that strong start.
On December 19, 2015, Ngannou made his UFC debut. At the time, he was 29, not a particularly young age for any professional athlete. It was immediately evident that Ngannou possessed untapped potential and drive, as he beat fellow UFC rookie Luis Henrique by second-round knockout in his debut.
UFC Triumph & Bonus Earnings
At that point, Ngannou was a meteoric presence on the other side of his victorious UFC debut. Displaying the ability to knock foes dead or choke them out cold, he dispatched his next four opponents in a highlight-reel-ready manner. Some of his victories during this time frame were a TKO win over Curtis Blaydes and a submission victory against Anthony Hamilton, with the latter earning Ngannou his first Performance of Night bonus.
The turning point of Ngannou's early UFC career was January 28, when he fought veteran heavyweight Andrei Arlovski. Ngannou won the fight with a first-round TKO, his second performance of the night bonus, and immediately became known as an elite contender in Heavyweight.
The Late Beginner To Heavyweight Star
The rise of Francis Ngannou in MMA is a befitting example of the same, where hard work and natural ability collide. At 22 years old, he started his combat sports journey by first taking up boxing before transitioning to MMA five years later. He overcame the adversities and turned into one of the scariest heavyweights on this planet.
His story from the sand quarries of Cameroon to world-class superstardom in the UFC is nothing less than inspirational. Even though he got into the game late, Ngannou's workmanlike approach to his newfound sport helped catapult him through the uber-talented UFC heavyweight division at an unprecedented pace.
We would like to say that Francis Ngannou is now an example of the fact that it's never too late for one to go after what they really want. The tale of his journey from late MMA bloomer to heavyweight sensation inspires aspiring fighters around the globe, illustrating that extraordinary success can be achieved no matter when you start if your mindset and dedication are accompanied by support.
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