Francis Ngannou has had an extraordinary career, marked by travel and major challenges. Born in Cameroon, he had a difficult youth, working from an early age in the salt mines to help his family.
After several unsuccessful attempts to cross the Atlantic, he finally settled in France, where he began a new life marked by hardship, notably as a homeless man in Paris. However, his determination led him to resounding success in the world of MMA, before making the leap into English boxing after his release from the UFC in 2023.
Ngannou’s latest feat was his stunning victory over Renan Ferreira, the reigning PFL heavyweight champion. In a single round, the Predator clinched the belt, showing that no challenge is too big for him, despite more than two years without a fight in MMA.
Despite his worldwide success, Ngannou has never forgotten his roots. When he was in Paris for a ceremony at the Senate, he winked at his native country with a touch of humor: “Bonjour à tous! As someone so rightly said, I myself came because there was a free buffet (laughs).” Then he teasingly added about Cameroon: “There’s been a lot of provocation tonight, but perhaps some people need to brush up on their geography. Cameroon is a continent, you know!” This joke, which echoes previous references by Cédric Doumbé, drew laughter from the audience and Internet users alike.
His ability to combine humor and pride in his Cameroonian origins has brought smiles to the faces of many fans on social networks, testifying to the ex-UFC champion’s growing influence. More than just a fighter, Ngannou has become an ambassador for his home country, always ready to remind people of his background and origins with a smile.
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