The Predator: Odyssey of Francis Ngannou: From UFC to Boxing

Background:
Francis Ngannou's rise to prominence in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) is a testament to resilience, determination, and unwavering pursuit of greatness. Born and raised in Cameroon, Ngannou's journey from humble beginnings to becoming the UFC Heavyweight Champion is nothing short of extraordinary.
Early Life in Africa:
Ngannou was born on September 5, 1986, in the village of Batié, Cameroon. Growing up in poverty, he endured hardships and struggled to make ends meet. Despite the challenges, Ngannou discovered his passion for combat sports at a young age, finding solace and purpose in the discipline and rigor of boxing.
Desperate to help his family financially, Ngannou began to work in the sand mines and did so for seven years – the gruelling job made him become much bigger and stronger than others his age. He found boxing in his teens, but it wasn’t until he turned 26 that he decided to travel to France to pursue his fight dream. It proved to be an incredible 14-month journey that saw him cross the Sahara Desert, drink dirty ‘dead animal’ water, and spend time in prison.
"My journey from Cameroon to Paris was 14 months. I couldn't go to the airport and take a plane to France, I had to use all the back doors,” Ngannou explained on The Joe Roan Experience in 2022.

Migration Abroad through Illegal Route:
Determined to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional fighter, Ngannou made the courageous decision to leave Cameroon and seek opportunities abroad. Like many migrants, he embarked on a perilous journey, crossing deserts and oceans, and facing unimaginable dangers in pursuit of a better life. Ngannou's first travelled to Nigeria which was pretty easy because it shares an open border with Cameroon, and he didn’t need a visa to enter – but he still needed to travel 400 miles to Kano.
Next, the 37-year-old made the trip to Niger, and it was more problematic.
This time, he needed a visa to enter the country and the only way to get around it was by paying bribes to the police and border control officers.
"There we started to be illegal because for us to get there we need a visa, but from there we didn't have a visa," Ngannou said.
"So, we had to deal with the police, border protection officers, you get caught they ask you for money, like a bribe, you don't want to give all your money, you need that to survive."After experiencing corruption first-hand, Ngannou began his journey to Algeria, and it took a potentially life-threatening turn when he was crammed into the back of a truck with 25 people to cross the Sahara Desert. On the brink of dying of dehydration, he was forced to drink water that had “dead animals” in it before trying to get through the Algerian border with a fake ID.
"All Malian citizens in Algeria, they don't even need a visa. They are free as long as they have ID. So, we are all black. We look the same. We are all from Mali, but we have to prove it," he continued.
Ngannou admitted he was scared when questioned by Algerian officers over the legitimacy of his identification, but he managed to travel through the country to Morocco. Things didn’t get any easier. Ngannou aimed to make it to one of two Spanish islands - Ceuta or Melilla – as once he was there he could claim asylum.
After one year, six failed attempts, and a visit to a Moroccan hospital after he cut himself on barbed wire, Ngannou made it to Spain by boat despite being pursued by a police helicopter.
"Morocco is a nightmare for immigration," he added.
"It's like the hell country for immigration because it is a country closer to Europe. At some point, the land in Morocco is just five miles from Spain.
“If you fail, they are going to bring you back to the south and throw you in the desert to let you go. It’s their own way to say, ‘Go back to your own country.’”
Once he made it to Spain, he was jailed for two months before being released.
Ngannou was unable to be deported because of his false documentation and ultimately settled in France after opting against travelling to the UK due to its strict border controls. The fan-favourite fighter fare dodged his way to Paris on a train, and that’s where he ultimately found MMA and earned a contract from Dana White’s promotion. Eight years later, he is one of the biggest stars in the sport despite recently parting ways with the UFC following a lengthy dispute about his contact.

Discovering UFC:
Ngannou's journey led him to France, where he settled in Paris as an undocumented immigrant. It was there that he discovered mixed martial arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Inspired by the likes of Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali, Ngannou saw MMA as a path to greatness and a means to lift himself out of poverty.
Family Support:
Throughout his struggles and challenges, Ngannou found strength and motivation in the unwavering support of his family. Despite being thousands of miles away from his homeland, he remained connected to his roots and drew inspiration from his upbringing in Cameroon.
Challenges:
Ngannou faced numerous obstacles on his path to success, including financial hardships, cultural barriers, and the daunting task of making a name for himself in the highly competitive world of MMA. However, his unyielding determination and relentless work ethic propelled him forward, overcoming adversity with resilience and grit.

Becoming UFC Heavyweight Champion:
Ngannou's breakthrough moment came on March 27, 2021, when he captured the UFC Heavyweight Championship by defeating Stipe Miocic in a highly anticipated rematch. His victory marked the culmination of years of dedication and sacrifice, solidifying his status as one of the most formidable fighters in the world.

Venturing into Boxing:
In addition to his success in MMA, Ngannou has recently ventured into the world of professional boxing, seeking new challenges and opportunities to showcase his skills. With his formidable punching power and athleticism, he has quickly made a name for himself in the boxing world, garnering attention and admiration from fans and pundits alike.
Boxing Trend Till Date:
Ngannou's boxing career has been met with excitement and anticipation, as fans eagerly await his next move in the ring. While he continues to juggle his commitments in MMA and boxing, Ngannou remains focused on achieving greatness and leaving a lasting legacy in both sports.

First Fight In Boxing With Tyson Fury
In Riyadh, Francis Ngannou, making his boxing debut, put on a remarkable performance against Tyson Fury, the reigning WBC world heavyweight champion. Despite never having boxed professionally before, Ngannou displayed fire and purpose, denting and tarnishing Fury's prestige throughout their 10-round non-title fight. He even knocked Fury down heavily in the third round, impressing judges and fans alike.
The split-decision victory awarded to Fury was met with controversy, as one judge scored the fight in Ngannou's favor and another had the same score for Fury. Fury, visibly swollen around the left eye, now faces uncertainty regarding his heavily anticipated fight for the undisputed world title against Oleksandr Usyk. Usyk, holding the IBF, WBA, and WBO titles, expressed readiness to fight Fury on the agreed date, though concerns linger about Fury's recovery time.Despite the defeat, Ngannou's performance showcased his fighting spirit and adaptability, earning him admiration even in defeat. His transition from the brutal world of mixed martial arts, where he became a respected UFC heavyweight champion, to boxing demonstrated his versatility as an athlete. While gracious in defeat, it's clear Ngannou left an indelible mark on the boxing world with his impressive showing against Fury.

Second Fight In The Boxing Ring
Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion of the world, appeared to be out before he even hit the canvas and required medical treatment before leaving the ring. Anthony Joshua propelled himself back into the heavyweight world title picture with a destructive second-round knockout win over Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia. Joshua, the two-time former unified world heavyweight champion, sent Ngannou to the canvas in the opening round of their fight and then felled him a further two times in an emphatic second round. The heavyweight contest was just the second professional boxing match of Ngannou’s career, although the Cameroonian impressed in a split decision loss to WBC champion Tyson Fury in Riyadh last October. Promoter Eddie Hearn afterwards called for Joshua to face the winner of Fury’s upcoming unification showdown with Oleksandr Usyk, who has twice before defeated Joshua.
Conclusion:
Francis Ngannou's journey from Africa to UFC Heavyweight Champion is a testament to the power of perseverance, courage, and unwavering determination. Through hard work, sacrifice, and resilience, he has overcome countless obstacles to reach the pinnacle of success in the world of combat sports. As he continues to carve his legacy, Ngannou serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes around the globe, proving that with dedication and belief in oneself, anything is possible. Venturing in to his new realm of boxing presents him as a strong contender to the heavyweight title in the future. Regardless of the loss to Fury and Joshua.

References :
1. French Minister for Sport clears path to legalise MMA by the beginning of 2020. (2019, June 25).

2. Beacham, G. (2022, January 22). UFC 270: Francis Ngannou defeats Ciryl Gane by unanimous decision to retain UFC title. *Los Angeles Times*. The Associated Press. Retrieved October 25, 2022.

3. Francis Ngannou | UFC. (2018, September 14). *UFC*. Retrieved July 17, 2019, from www.ufc.com

4. Stats | UFC. (n.d.). *UFC*. Retrieved October 4, 2020, from ufcstats.com

5. Bad blood? The feud between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane, explained. (2021, August 8).

6. Bissell, T. (2018, January 18). Fernand Lopez and the Factory behind Francis Ngannou. *Bloody Elbow*.