"I've been through hell" - The incredible story of Francis Ngannou's journey to the UFC | Open Mat

Before his fight with Junior dos Santos this weekend, Francis Ngannou sits down with Adam Catterall to tell the story of his incredible rise from the streets of Cameroon to being one of the UFC's most-feared heavyweight contenders.
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[@KashifsPOV]

The kindest and scariest man in the world 😂

[@edsonmanuel1111]

@Kiusza CM usyk only box this is mma any mma guy can beat usyk

[@arellepanna7381]

edson manuel no

[@matthewlaunchbury265]

half the fighters in ufc are kind at heart, But just have an ego

[@MrSkePticaL123]

His english has improved a lot, good on him.

[@gyvlogs4200]

Lol

[@twrzenski]

It is. He's super sharp and will be completely fluent in no time

[@Lordinos1992]

As an anglophone Cameroonian I would agree, it's also more amazing that his French accent is not too strong when he speaks English. Like Thierry Henry 😂

[@curtevans2551]

@Haitian Xu ctfu

[@robertmzee1027]

He is from africa they speak English in africa. Unless its egypt. Egyptians don't speak English

[@user-oo7pg6ss9w]

I’m gonna go through hell trying to find a stream for ufc 239

[@dfuseidazza6129]

get down your local casino and watch for free

[@user-oo7pg6ss9w]

Dfuse IDazza DEViiLiiSH local casino😂😂at 3 in the morning

[@muhammadilyaas_]

JUST USE VIPBOXTV

[@user-oo7pg6ss9w]

Sorrow Boxing and pay for vpn that I’m barely ever gonna use

[@goterdordel7385]

In the Netherlands every PPV card is for free for some reason, i guess im like the only one watchimg or something but ill take it.

[@charlesmyambo]

*Francis* : "I didn't know what I wanted to become but I did know what I didn't want to become, I didn't want to become like my dad" 😭 *that hits hard* 4:15

[@ethicsburried8814]

Team Smooth forreal it made my gf cry

[@jonnyboomboombravo9186]

It touched me too. I felt the same way about my dad for a long time. I did let go of the anger enough to start talking to him again back in 2017. I'm happy i did because he died about 6 months after that of a brain anurism.

[@Bling92]

@@jonnyboomboombravo9186 sorry to hear bro

[@FaxxsSpeaker]

Love Francis, a gentle giant extremely humble. I hope he worked his entire game because he can be Heavyweight champion.

[@Sparkball]

Christian Cabrera Stipe did amazing humbling him

[@matthewreid1175]

@@Sparkball Bullshit dumbass. Just because someone has winning streak momentum doesn't make them arrogant. Francis was always humble. The only people that got humbled that night was the fans for abandoning and forgetting about Stipe.

[@KhanSaab-pi6sw]

Stipe was a blessing in disguise

[@francD06]

He will

[@nuclearlefthook5008]

@Star missle not meek. Meek means easily imposed on and submissive. He's definitely not the quitting type.

[@AshGorall]

Dude. His fu kin english is insane. Just listen to his earlier interviews. The improvement is stellar

[@inSynced]

Smart guy.

[@ahfei6847]

Africans are usually very good with languages. They very often regularly speak 3-4 languages. So they are very good at picking a new language

[@uteadawee51]

He is french speaker I speak french when I learned English it took me 1 year to adjust as there are lots of similar words and grammatically is practically the same

[@MidwestDIY]

At 26 homeless, at 27 started combat sports, at 31 fought for UFC championship. What will bring the future? Stipe, DC, other champions been doing combat sports for 20+ years before they became UFC champions, even Jon Jones been doing combat sports for around 10 years before he became youngest UFC champion at 23 (he started wrestled as teenager), so Francis progress is amazing to me. I don't understand what is the reason there is expectation of Francis to be a champion after 4 years of experience, when he competes with those that have 20+ years, I believe eventually he will get there.

[@mohamethkane5966]

Rhino legs, it will cause serious injuries.

[@temi8192]

This didn't age well😂

[@igomk]

Now he is

[@eaeq1341]

Now he is world champion

[@graveoffense572]

And new

[@Tchafsir]

Inspirational, really hope he becomes UFC champion

[@dannysharkDS]

Hope for yourself first, idiot

[@axoslasauce3674]

Come on chelsea bro

[@unknownuser_1]

@@dannysharkDS 😂

[@francois9747]

@@dannysharkDS ?

[@user-iz2pn7tm8d]

I agree bro Ngannou can go to the very top with his knockout power and his amazing skills!

[@luckystrike-zz9sh]

" I don't wanna become like my dad " ... i can relate to that.

[@StaaaaNzHD]

lucky strike indeed. Unfortunate but true

[@fightingtothepoint4u732]

Me too

[@ThiloT86]

African Champion💪🏽Best wishes from Morocco ❤❤

[@dmc6218]

Ngannou Vs JDS the battle of the freindly giants

[@matrixdeprogrammed1271]

JDS got destroyed 😂😂

[@dmc6218]

@Regained Confidence Ngannou its Ford escort vs GDS

[@harrish619]

@@matrixdeprogrammed1271 we needed 20's jds

[@NJD-tp2uf]

The true toughest people are very calm cause nothing scares em

[@kumulsfan8090]

Yep it’s always that quiet guy on the corner with a smile that is the most dangerous. I’ve seen it time and time again, the nice quiet guys can fight lol

[@garuda4361]

@@kumulsfan8090 and then there's the guys with the biggest mouths who brag all the time and talk about who they punched and how strong they are lol. Just let em talk.

[@IFAMILYIH]

He's so humble shout out to Francis

[@sultanzuhaib7439]

@@teabag4046 lol he was never arrogant . He is born humble . In that case have a rematch . Now he has improved much

[@lewishelme7724]

Can’t help but respect and admire him true fighter and gentleman

[@JayCoyle301]

Big fan of Francis Ngannou. I love his story it's so heartwarming. I hope he can become Heavyweight Champion by the end of the year or maybe next year.

[@mattdayman9632]

JJC 2810 he will be I think those two loses made him a better fighter.His uppercut is scary!

[@MajorrBison]

is Jon Jones in the heavy weight class that he could possibly fight some day?

[@diceslaflamme6333]

He is now bruh 😎

[@JamaaLS]

0:34 SHAQ WITH A FULL MOUNT! wow!

[@antoinehemi4266]

He's weighting 400 pounds of course he can manhandled 99% of the people on Earth there is nothing that impressive

[@fairysrreal8728]

FAITH CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS. well said Warrior....

[@sultanzuhaib7439]

Faith

[@fairysrreal8728]

@@sultanzuhaib7439 All done. Thanks bro..

[@collinsrono4350]

🙏🏽

[@redhaegar]

Too bad the interviewer didnt find Francis flow. Interviwer seemed to look out for some bullet points , fast paced funny scenes, short and interrupting questions looking for action, but Francis was calm and collected, open for a long journey into his life. And then there were so many missed topics, missed opportunites during the interview. Francis was ready. The interviewer was not.

[@NjoyMoney]

He needs to be on a podcast

[@bartekgrabowski8275]

Njoy yes!! Joe rogan

[@RTL2L]

redhaegar I was going to post the same. He interrupred Francis couple of times on a very interesting thought. Especially when Francis was going to describe his rout to France.

[@awgevs6209]

@@bartekgrabowski8275 ? sheesh

[@bartekgrabowski8275]

@@awgevs6209 that was one year ago. hes been on there since my comment...

[@Lordinos1992]

As a Cameroonian this is inspirational I'ts a shame a lot of Europeans think we come over for freebies and benefits

[@matrixdeprogrammed1271]

Not all of us think like that though I get along more with Africans than my own people..

[@Lordinos1992]

@@matrixdeprogrammed1271 much respect. Yes of course not all. I should say its the ignorant ones that will always use that as a reason to hate

[@CAESAR-yj6ms]

Lord Focho they are I see natives on the street begging for money and then I see jobless immigrants living in their big houses

[@dokorobia8713]

CAESAR 2020 So they are both jobless and have big houses. Right.

[@beltusbenz6911]

Facts bro after this they must know Cameroon

[@anthony5753]

Francis has HUGE legs, i dont envy fighters getting kicked by him

[@elyasdjabou1832]

they are big but proportionally his upper body is bigger

[@johanberggren1177]

@@elyasdjabou1832 id say he is very symmetric.

[@Tbone1492]

After 7 minutes they stop working he would Die in Boxing

[@Evan-pt8nr]

Brazilian American Patriotic Soldier And a boxer wouldn’t last a minute in the octagon lol

[@dannyholt3732]

Evan Robinson well said mate 😂

[@windandsea6237]

This guy sounds so humble. I hope he becomes a champion

[@MackV99]

"MMA showed me da wey."

[@xandrunull]

Really humble and down to earth. Respect to him for toughing it out!

[@EddieGee-cc4us]

Africa has so much talent.. African leaders need to nourish there young people so that oneday Africa can be a respected member of the world community

[@user-fl7sp7dy5u]

The problem lies in the Western powers and investors who pay dictators to demotivate the development of developing countries and it's economical purposes. It's all politics approved and submitted by those in power of the world trade both in commodity and modern austerity. Confinement makes the Truth much stranger than fiction.

[@EddieGee-cc4us]

@@user-fl7sp7dy5u Thr days of blaming Afticas problems on the West is over.. The Chinese are exploiting and plundering Africa and Africans are letting it hsppen

[@TristanZeitler]

@@EddieGee-cc4us This. Africa has so much potential, the west just needs to stop giving out free aid. Treat Africa like a respectable partner, invest and expect something in return, otherwise this continent will forever be stuck in it's ways.

[@apotebill]

Cameroon has been wining lately. Francis, Siakam, Embiid, and more in the US and Europe!

[@themanwhocan17]

Never Seen a Person be as loveable and Scary simultaneously :)

[@isuckatthisgame]

I've seen. His name is Francis Ngannou haha

[@MoonKeyDLaughy]

He needs to win the fight otherwise Dana will ignore him for ever,

[@Dust-rb4tf]

Dana loves trash talkers like mcnugget

[@williamedwards1085]

Mohammed Alraisi cos they bring in the money

[@williamedwards1085]

Mohammed Alraisi love him or hate him McGregor in his prime brought in more money to the ufc then any other fighter in history

[@juwamahamud9961]

'forever

[@NASkeywest]

Well he knocked JDS out in the 1st round so...

[@eberhardgetrouw18]

WAW Francis u stole my hart 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾u are the greatest example for never give up 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾🙏🙏🙏

[@williamsligh2593]

I'm sitting in a gym bathroom at 2AM I am in agonizing physical pain, I might have 20 or 30 dollars, I am homeless. I am tired, but I will dominate, I will be remembered . I will not die, I am going to wake up tomorrow and the next day because that is what I am the next day. I am the next day.

[@andyodvor2927]

W

[@theimprovist4158]

Inspirational. Unbelievable, believe and pursue your dreams.

[@harleythesalami6956]

This guy is dedicated, talented, has a had a rough start in life, and also is likable guy. I really hope he rounds his game off and get the title (After DC retires). because he's defo earned a shot at it.

[@bayurocky1326]

Ngannou is the Pooh Bear who is trapped in the Hulk body, he's savage in the octagon but he's a humble person, big respect for him

[@realgoodmind]

He will one day be the longest reigning defending heavyweight champ in UFC history.

[@InfiniteCuriosity1210]

That is if he continues until aged 40

[@culture_7015]

Respect to Francis, God Bless him.

[@cameronwilliams8069]

To the interviewer: let him speak man, stop jumping in on everything.

[@superman25671]

He's trying to steer the conversation into the direction that he wants so that he covers all the topics he wanted to. He also can't let him talk too long about one topic otherwise the interview would be too long.

[@liamc7097]

@@superman25671 Believe it or not, a good interview is not about what the interviewer wants. His notes should just be a rough guideline. As the viewer, there was some things the interviewer cut off that I actually would have liked to hear

[@graveoffense572]

He’s doing a Vlad

[@MrMentalz2]

He said he learned more in the Stipe fight than he did in the past 4years. That’s big! And it’s great that he acknowledges it.

[@HevyToy]

I cant wait TILL This man becomes champ, inspiring

[@darrenwalker4722]

Only a matter of time before he s champion .

[@Raghuveer2798]

The guy is so humble. He did not give stupid reasons for losing to Stipe. He just gave straight out facts.

[@hohepawhaitiri933]

this guy will 100 percent be heavyweight champion one day

[@matrixdeprogrammed1271]

He cant beat DC

[@axoslasauce3674]

Matrix Deprogrammed DC will retire in 2 fights plus if DC decides to stand with him it is gonna be night night. Plus francis improved his cardio and takedown defense. We saw it against cain and blayde. Even though his fight vs lewis was trash he went 3 full rds without gasing out.

[@tambirkhan6187]

AND NEWWWWWWWW

[@BRX4479]

@@matrixdeprogrammed1271 HE DID

[@thathandleistakentrythisone]

Its mind blowing to think such shocking violence comes out of such a soft spoken man.

[@10908070605040302]

Big respect to this man , its an appropriate quote that comes up near the start of the video , "strength is born from the journey" , I never saw him speak before , and I am glad to see he is also humble , respectful , and a cool dude , all the best to this man ! From Ireland

[@javierguerrero8160]

Let the man finish a sentence!! Please!... This nerdy dude didn't get enough hugs I see.

[@Bnut619]

I think your just stupid and looking for someone to be mad at

[@gualapianto6296]

Lol just met this dude, already is my favorite ufc fighter

[@marvinrobinson9289]

Francis is going to be the next heavyweight champion 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@baileywoods123]

Boom!

[@LewisBuchan]

one of my favourite fighters. legend

[@technomonkey9529]

An inspiration and so humble. I hope he will become World Champ he truly deserves it.

[@bombergun]

Has so many star quality’s !but his best quality is his humbleness 🔥🔥

[@iakaylew71]

Black king, peace brother!

[@pleasepressstart]

Great interviewer! This is the best Ngannou interview I’ve ever watched.

[@callumshah7891]

Amazing giant of a man, can still see that boy in him such a determination

[@rivolverocelot3010]

Wtf where this been......I been clicking on videos couple vids later I realize I'm a fan .....good stuff sir

[@bayadger6970]

This man is inspiring!

[@LC-xk5zl]

And now he is finally a world champion! What an inspiring story, well done Francis 😃

[@crimemastertoto]

I'm pretty sure Cameron has even more devastating and lethal hard-hitting fighters than Francis ... Good wishes for him and hope he remains humble all through his career and be a role model

[@titsaa_]

I'm from Cameroon and yes!! We have freaks like Francis everywhere in the country. Some guys are even bigger than him but hardship has killed them from the inside. They just lack the proper opportunity to showcase raw power.

[@kratosofspartareal]

Great interview

[@ronilindberg2532]

hes a humble man with a humble heart💪

[@douglasnakamura6753]

Look at the size of Francis's biceps compared to his triceps!! I am wondering if THAT is where his incredible punching power comes from??? I really like this guy and his humble attitude. I hope he gets a title belt and smashes everyone!

[@Blakeburgerz]

He’s gentle and scary at the same time

[@joselinopinto7979]

I respect this guy. I came a long way. Respect Mon frère

[@generalfishcake]

Amazing story, with the strength to back it. Awesome guy.

[@nathantaylor3773]

14months to get to France, that’s a hell of a journey, inspirational!

[@wpethy5570]

who’s here after he became UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION !

[@Pablo-sr2zx]

All good things come to good people like Francis Ngannou and couldn't of come to a better deserving person than this man

[@twuandixon8675]

Ngannou is such a humble cool dude, the fact he can kill any human under 6 foot in a few punches is just another factor lol.

[@mpforeverunlimited]

Id say 7, actually

[@francD06]

Technically u can die from any punch if ur head hit the concrete hard, no need ngnannou power.

[@matrixdeprogrammed1271]

Thanks im 6ft and feel a little but safer now 😉👍🏻😂

[@twuandixon8675]

@@matrixdeprogrammed1271 😂😂😂

[@PRVLOGSKZ]

He inspire me alot.

[@NASkeywest]

Some sons follow in their fathers footsteps, Francis ran in the opposite direction.

[@scottking5555]

When Francis says "this man is massive, I almost ran away".... lol

[@HansDavidian]

LMAO the boxing coach was half of Shaq's size. How he gonna get the pad work done? 😂😂😂😂😂

[@telekinetika]

He has to be on his knees 😂

[@beepbeepimajeep2679]

Very soon we'll hear Bruce Buffer : Ladies & Gentlemen, THIS IS the main event of the evening! Introducing first (...) AAAAAAND NOOOOOOOOOW, in the red corner : A mix matial artist, with a professional record : 15 wins, 3 losses. He stands 6 foot 4 inches tall, weight in at 262 pounds. Fighting out of BATIE, CAMEROOOOON ... Presenting : The Reigning, Defending, UNDISPUTED HEAVYWHEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WOOOOORLD .... FRANCIS ' THE PREDATOR ' N'GAAAAANNOOOOOUUUUUUUUU !

[@bobibest89]

0:06 Look at the size of his legs compared to the other guy... This dude is a beast.

[@Zak0179]

Next champ mark my words!

[@Spjerdalai]

i think we will see miocic vs ngannou 2 by the end of this year

[@Raney123]

I doubt Francis will get another title shot anytime soon. Maybe by the end of 2020. Stipe isn't rematching Francis on this calendar year and dc doesn't wanna fight Francis PERIOD lol

[@matrixdeprogrammed1271]

Rane Bane I think DC would maul him on the ground though

[@axoslasauce3674]

Matrix Deprogrammed francis improved his takedown defense. Wrestlers like blaydes and cain couldn’t take him down

[@wandzz3966]

axos la sauce lol Cain got knocked out in like 20 seconds

[@Raney123]

@Black Camer really what? I was right.....

[@nuclearlefthook5008]

started at 25, title shot at 30. Bounced back from Stipe loss, and knocked out two of the best HW wrestlers ever, the best HW boxer, two of the three being former HW champs - in the combined time of like 2 minutes.

[@Fraser978]

Always liked him hes a great man and a inspiration 💪

[@bn8530]

I should correct this: Stop putting words in his mouth. There are no gangs in Cameroon! There are thieves and bandits but there are no gangs as we have in America. Francis is French and didn’t really comprehend the journalists use of the word “gangs”.

[@francD06]

Yeah the crime world in America is different from africa, there no shine and movies and praise in africa its pure misery, no crips or blood flexin with chains over there

[@BernardBrunu1]

Right now there is a gang in the southern region which was formed after the violence by the police

[@CAESAR-yj6ms]

B N Cameroon is much more dangerous than America

[@NoobProTV]

this is the craziest machine in the world

[@dtmcentral7899]

So much buried talents in Africa, cone and see, give us opportunity

[@salvatorelisandro4843]

Great guy so humble 💞

[@Whattatwist]

My favorite ufc fighter of all time tbh

[@krisjoy2]

4:14 its so nice how they show appreciation by rubbing knees i believe its a custom of great respect in mixed remarted arfts 💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@celestialrex551]

Back here after he won UFC260 😘😘 . HEAVY WEIGHT CHAMPION

[@benevans59]

Legend

[@ansgaralbero913]

That how our roots of existing, true real warrior ,. His being guided by his higher self being..

[@deborahsinclair1581]

Born legend 🙏🏻

[@KingdomWithin7]

Why is it that the most humble fighters are the most dangerous?

[@sohelshaikh2119]

He's gonna be ufc heavyweight champion for sure

[@nicholaswoodward8191]

Fantastic story good for him

[@tonyg7940]

What an amazing story = what an amazing human

[@marcusjones1432]

Crazy how unpolished he is as of yet. I really hope he's taking Jiu-Jitsu classes. He can definitely be champion.

[@pradeepchakravarthi2933]

I like this dude

[@abrahamaseffa8893]

a very friendly journalist

[@thefullmonte1902]

This also shows how good Stipe really is...

[@Baol]

Well! If Stipe is that good he should take Francis again and end the convo 🤷🏾‍♂️ just saying😏

[@francois9747]

How? Francis only found out what MMA was like yesterday lol

[@hl0984]

This guy is articulate and smart

[@775.-]

Francis deserve Respect and Title shot!

[@Tbone1492]

He just had a title Shot lost 2 and Beat Cain off for 7 years 🤦

[@axoslasauce3674]

Brazilian American Patriotic Soldier whoelse is more deserving than francis. No actual heavyweight has notable wins in row against 2 former champs and a top contender.

[@Horvat04]

very likeable interviewer, good story

[@calebmayo2621]

Scariest person and nicest at the same time

[@superfly19751]

Great story. If he keeps working on his game, in two years I don’t think anyone can beat him. I really wanna see him fights Stipe again this time. But first, JDS...

[@MambaAfrica]

Am inspired 👍

[@vitalaliu8604]

Great story