"I wasn't confident in my striking" Francis Ngannou reflects on UFC 270 and discusses boxing switch

Speaking to Caroline Pearce moments after defending his UFC heavyweight title against Cyril Gane, Francis Ngannou explained his decision to turn to his wrestling and discussed his plans to venture into boxing.
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[@thups9552]

How this man learned English, jiu jutsu and wrestling in such a short period of time at his age is beyond my comprehension

[@temobaxtadze544]

he's smart

[@alextino86]

Cameroon is bilingual, French and English are our official languages.

[@bento4876]

@@alextino86 Not everyone speaks both tho, right? Francis wasnt really good at speaking it.

[@vivirpayando3116]

And French

[@MrHeathcliff83]

gerald huether... never to late learning everything

[@martinlindgren4490]

I like Ngannou. He is honest and real. He doesn´t play games.

[@MrWest-ph5yg]

Same

[@RougeLino]

that's what dana white$$$ doesn't like

[@jimywebb23]

Agree. If the UFC treated it's audience like that, we wouldn't have all of this manufactured drama 😂

[@pepe230385]

Absolute and 100% agree!!

[@martinlindgren4490]

@@jimywebb23 Agree!

[@icyplatinum]

It's hard not to like this guy. He's the best and I wish him all the best.

[@brettmcrae7668]

Currently the best, with 1 title defense..

[@Phoresight]

@@brettmcrae7668 hey it is the heavyweight division, the most defenses is 4

[@MeMe-nv1tt]

@@Phoresight exactly it’s hw so let’s see if he can get 4 or above

[@Phoresight]

Me Me not disagreeing with that, was just saying, in a division where the belt can change hands so often, One defense is still meaningful

[@brettmcrae7668]

@@Phoresight Stipe currently hold's the record with 4. I'm not taking anything away from Francis, but he has a long way to go.

[@ChemistRNS]

The way both men have conducted themselves during the build up and after cannot be applauded enough, just absolute gentlemen every step of the way.

[@FritzHitz]

100% agree

[@saatersamsonawuapila607]

I love both guys more as they conducted themselves so well.

[@tai_aris]

Humble in victory, hallmark of a king. Ngannou is a rare beast. UFC might lose him by simply failing to recognise his greatness. McGregor's terms and conditions are a blueprint for the preferred talent and Francis is undoubtedly worthy of such consideration.

[@bubaba8938]

They already are loosing.But still they didn't censor the guy like some media does to targeted personalities. He's going to be 6+ months off cause of his injury..So a hard pill to swallow for ufc.Yet if he was in this state against Jones i doubt he'd win

[@shushhh4637]

DANA, PAY THE MAN.

[@ChiClov]

Did Dana chicken out even for a press conference! Did Dana bet heavily against Francis both in negotiations and at Draftkings? Francis just defeated Cyril, Fernando Lopez and UFC without his super punch and a horrible acl.

[@tigeretslimited7792]

A real comment

[@tigeretslimited7792]

True

[@JAM_2024]

Coward Dana.

[@chuckdee1189]

💯💯💯

[@dialac1]

Facts lol. The real loser tonight was Dana lol

[@ChromeKong]

Such a classy guy.

[@garthybrookens4839]

The Haters in the comment sections are the Worst. They kept on Saying Francis Took Gane Down without doing anything, Which after watching the entire fight, found out it was far from the truth. Francis over delivered with his performance, he humbled Gane Gane's Technique was used against him on multiple occasions. Francis is indeed a True champion He has the heart of a warrior and a resilient mindset. Congratulations Champ.

[@raeyadmasu1590]

Humbled him? When has Cyril not been humble?

[@chuckdee1189]

@@raeyadmasu1590 he humbled Gane... 😆

[@p.b6032]

lol "humbled Gane"

[@garthybrookens4839]

@@raeyadmasu1590 Gane thought he was going to win with his technique. Compare ganes confidence coming to the ring and after facing francis for three rounds. He was humbled.

[@garthybrookens4839]

@@chuckdee1189 Yup from round 3 Gane Knew francis was the real deal

[@FTaiwo1]

So impressed with Francis' dignity first of all then the courage to go ahead with the fight with a real threat to carrier ending injury if Gane caught him with one of those kicks on his injured knee is so admirable. well done champ !

[@LegendaryUchiha1990]

Sad part was I'd he DID pull out UFC woulda stripped him most likely. Hope UFC gives him a new contract

[@Joe-vc7co]

Unbelievable - proved me and so many others wrong. He’s evolved so much as a person and a fighter. And to beat Ciryl on points?? Incredible. Fair play Francis, a very rounded fighter, a great champion and a very respectable guy.

[@ybthegod7988]

I was one of them good for him man he showed me somtging i never expected

[@Messi-by6rh]

The humble Champ has the cheat codes ready for each match he fights.

[@MOB-kx5gp]

🤣👏🏽

[@thebigdogg2866]

His only cheat code is super strength 😂 and the ability to learn very fast

[@Patch57055]

💉💉💉

[@thebigdogg2866]

@@Patch57055 nah bro he never shyed away from a drugs test that's that sand mind working from the age of 10

[@ismaieladen4814]

*Francis was able to unlock Ngannomedov* 😅

[@domsugar9160]

🤦

[@baudouinnana4945]

😂🤣😂😂

[@gbone1812]

And it's over 9000

[@KONAMAN100]

Excellent one Ismaiel

[@davidkelechiugwu8440]

🤣🤣🤣For real

[@jaredcarrick3468]

Chael had a great live stream reaction after the fight last night on his channel. This wasn’t Ngannou vs Gane. This was Ngannou vs Dana White. It was clear that Dana believed he found the 1 guy outside of Jon Jones who could take the HW strap from Francis in Ciryl Gane. Gane was subsequently rushed through the ranks being given easy wins to cultivate his 10-0 resume to fast track him to the title match against Francis. Dana was putting all his eggs in Gane’s basket hoping he would get the win so he could have the leverage in contract negotiations with Francis moving forward. It clearly backfired on him in a big way, and he didn’t even bother to place the strap on Francis in the octagon after he won, nor did he even show up for the post PPV presser, which is unheard of for Dana White…. 🤣

[@arshiaarjomandi6279]

Chael's reaction was weird. He just yelled about how much this card's draw sucked and even devolved into ranting about Moreno's stance at one point. And he claimed Ngannou's injury was fake.

[@jephtha7267]

Dana did the same with Tyron Woodley.

[@candle9191]

Easy wins? Really? Gane fought JDS, Rozenstruik, Volkov, Lewis and... Literally the best of the bunch. Let's not act like he got handed the title shot.

[@leosandae6996]

this guy took the biggest risk anyone in the UFC has ever taken

[@Imhim247]

The king👑 Congratulations Francis. Well deserved 👏👏👏

[@whatchusayintv]

I was telling my friends as we were watching the fight right after the first round it just looked like Francis wasn’t as explosive as he usually is, he just didn’t have the umph … glad he was able to still find a way to win

[@danielmccomb7402]

He was injured too...

[@Elidext]

Acl and mcl injury, its crazy that he even fought. He could of risked his fighting career if it went wrong

[@Mercuryrising56627]

I still remember when Francis was in France and confided his dream was to become a boxing champion. In the mean time, a few years later...he's MMA champion and Im really happy for him, because I find him very deserving and a good guy.

[@ShizzleGaming14]

Never been more proud of being Cameroonain than today

[@dadafgf9360]

Me too

[@JayJAY-uk3yt]

Two classy fighters, one real champion.

[@AbCd-dn6xe]

One amazing human being,as a man he's a brother we could all choose to take lead from,his morals a 👑 fitted

[@michaelgreico9630]

Look at him and Cyril. Gane looks like he was in a fight. Francis doesnt have a scratch on him.

[@AkamapD]

Man doesnt bleed, even after the first stipe fight he didnt bleed, just swolen but stipe ended up with a black eye

[@ericattisso]

@@AkamapD True. Francis has a rubber skin lol. And he can take punches too. During the first fight with Stipe, he was sooo tired, I was convinced I Stipe would knock him out... but No 🤣

[@fantasma.b]

I was impressed by his camp during the breaks in between rounds. Great team!

[@texasboy1457]

Noticed that. Great corner work, great team.

[@Az21-]

Whereas Gane's corner was just shouting "it's impossible to lose!" No wonder why Francis left.

[@Roberto14378]

@@Az21- his coach said Gane is a computer

[@MS-dc2tt]

@@Roberto14378 that computer got shut down

[@jeffbrunswick5511]

He really resisted the opportunity to say that he is not a slave of the UFC! 😊 His negotiating position is now a lot stronger. The UFC will look like a joke if it allows their reigning champion to walk away, especially with a Gane rematch, a Stipe rematch and a Jon Jones Jnr mega fight, all in the pipeline.

[@BalthazarMyrrh70]

Don't forget the back beast - the only one to defeat nganu!

[@mitchcallander2608]

Apart from stipe!

[@Fedora_JP]

Dont underestimate the stubbornness and pettiness of the UFC. I wouldn't be shocked if Dana comes out to say Francis is scared to fight (insert name)

[@sonny9493]

Jon Jones Jnr?

[@aaronb2779]

@@mitchcallander2608 Yeah a Stipe rematch shouldn't happen.

[@ivartheboneless5969]

Horrible title by BTSports. It’s clear they took what he said out of context to click bait people.

[@marimonroe9732]

Its the truth Lol anyone with half a brain knows that was an excuse..

[@ivartheboneless5969]

@@marimonroe9732 yeah that’s why he wore knee sleeves, and that’s why there is footage of him discussing the injury before the fight. He’s obviously making excuses, EVEN THO HE WON THE FIGHT. Your the one with half a brain mate, And that’s being generous.

[@ivartheboneless5969]

@@marimonroe9732 on top of the fact Anthony Smith told Bisping about the injury during Francis’s walk out and Bisping discussed it on BYM. It’s so clearly an excuse though 🥴🥴🥴

[@erccool]

Francis beat Gane with a torn ACL. Gane literally can't beat this man on his worst night. Let that sink in

[@alexbelotti1603]

Nah can’t sink in

[@jorgebush7519]

@@alexbelotti1603 Because youre too dense

[@MarcisLagzdins]

He had 10 pound size advantage

[@erccool]

@Jihad Khan Man literally had kneepads on, why make up the excuse if he won? Ya'll have amazing mental gymnastics

[@harveyweinsteinslefttit9037]

@@MarcisLagzdins that doesnt matter whatsoever, there is a weight limit of 265 pounds, noone had an unfair advantage

[@quirin3716]

Such a humble champion!!! Love this guy

[@jaydee4988]

The man fought with a jacked knee. That is insane. Gets no credit for that, I wonder why? Also shows he In desperate situation. No fight no money, then potenial being stopped one way another due to inactivity.

[@thesatisfiedcustomer4869]

That’s a real tough man right there.

[@Havok999]

I don’t understand why he doesn’t get credit

[@EYEZAYZEL]

@@Havok999 it has more do with his nationality and physical appearance than most people are even willing too admit. Very unfortunate, even more unfortunate that he is not the first fighter in history too deal with this.

[@Havok999]

@@EYEZAYZEL I don’t think it’s about race just because Gane is black too and he doesn’t get much disrespect. Also a lot of Francis haters are Jones fans, another black guy

[@lekeakinyemi4240]

Alternate dimension... a super nice heavyweight

[@nacerouafa1007]

Shame on dana and bt and the rest of the media👎 glory to this Gladiators 🙏

[@zakdigaale1404]

what did he do

[@tobi-dn9th]

@@zakdigaale1404 he's not paying his fighters well

[@mumzzy-a6853]

Francise proved the doubters wrong I remember seeing comments saying gane is too much for francise, like Roy Jones said yall must have forgot. Anyways am happy for francise and thanks for winning me 450quid.

[@gonr0gue85]

This is the problem with the MMA community... they are quick to forget/ disregard any past achievements of fighters; mostly the casual fans. Im not saying all the casual fans are bad its just that it's always the dumb ones that are always voicing their opinions with little to no knowledge of the fighter's history then cus out and insult people who disagree with them.

[@kurzz5691]

He doesn't look like he just had a heavyweight title defense fight.. looks so fresh

[@James-fe6km]

Ideal scenario is they sort this contract issue and Francis fights jones and they let him box under the ufc promotion

[@nkwenkwezi9537]

🕯️

[@dialac1]

Yep. But I don’t thunk Dana wants to set precedence

[@InsulinPokachev]

Dana ain't gotta let that happen. Only for his husband Conor.

[@James-fe6km]

@@InsulinPokachev yeh it’s facts sadly

[@bigstepjohno9984]

🕯

[@glazersout1069]

Francis has grown on me after this fight, to go in injured and win aswell against a very good opponent he had impressed me

[@othrlf3759]

He is so humble and real

[@LaazrGaming]

never doubted the GOAT

[@domsugar9160]

So he's a goat now😆

[@VictorHugo._]

Goat? lol

[@AlxThSeal]

lazy bait

[@gbone1812]

Too early for that name

[@Shano_7]

The guy lost 2 and could maybe make an argument for him losing another one too. He did nothing when he got gane to the floor. Just laid on top because he couldn’t take him standing

[@HiFi5280]

Great champions always make the right adjustments. Bravo

[@aframaco9491]

Not a scratch or a mark on his sweet chocolate skin ! A true warrior!!

[@njaphs]

Dana White acted childishly. For someone leading a multi billion dollar organization he certainly took things too personal.

[@lex6794]

Your Options are Endless young Man! Great Job 👍🏽

[@googlebanmetoomuch2601]

He's so Humble

[@Nicoya48]

Very honest guy and proud. Great Champion.

[@Richarddraper]

What a fighter and seems like a great person as well. I loved the way he changed it up and wrestled once it was clear he probably wasn't going to win on his feet. Hopefully he won't let Dana White and the UFC shaft him in future and he can get paid what he deseves for future fights.

[@billc.8249]

A really good strategy by Francis and his team. Tested out the knee and seeing if they could work a KO in the first 2 rounds. Accepted it wasn't likely going to happen by round 3 and Francis switched to wrestling.

[@nabilhussein5794]

So well spoken

[@joerodriguez7753]

"People seem to forget!" Tell em big dawg!!!!

[@MrPmcMcMental]

I was a big Stipe fan but I have grown to like Francis, he comes across as very respectful and humble man .

[@frankthetank819]

Francis is such a true human being 🙏 He won this fight on two bad knees he needs surgery and still won this shows how great this guy is 100% he destroys anyone

[@marimonroe9732]

Excuseeeees lmao

[@gaurav63105]

@@marimonroe9732 Excuses? He won

[@DeterminedFC]

@@marimonroe9732 lol exceot except bsiping,cejudo,anothny smith, all said they knew about francis acl,mcl tear days-weeks before the fight

[@frankthetank819]

@@marimonroe9732 excuses lol Francis won on injured knees 😂

[@ronnyhuitt3230]

He is a great and respectful fighter

[@tigeretslimited7792]

Congratulations francis keep going

[@ianhobbs3614]

I cant understand why the UFC cannot come an arrangement with this man?

[@Roque815]

Cause they are all greety scumbags who want to keep all the money for themselves. Meanwhile the fighters risk there life's in the ring and barely get 600K. If I were Ngannou I would be already gone, or more money

[@gbone1812]

@@Roque815 fax

[@Algojo]

@@Roque815 and fury vs wilder both get 30m and 20m.

[@vigilantcitizen4858]

Cos the UFC is a slave plantation.

[@vicepd]

UFC think that the gravy train can keep producing new faces and champions that we the audience will take what we are given. But there will come a time when great talent either walk away or don’t come to the UFC then they will want to change but it will be too late. A bit like Nokia and Apple. There was a time Nokia had 90% market share of the cell phone market. Does anyone 10yrs or younger know who they are today? The Greed of UFC execs will be their downfall.

[@ricoocastroo]

Fracis is so big, he doesn’t has to worry about that bald spot on his head, nobody can see it😂

[@XIshotzXI]

Many taller people can see it. Go ask struve , O'Neil, embiid etc.

[@ricoocastroo]

@@XIshotzXI really, is that so?

[@XIshotzXI]

@@ricoocastroo go look it up genius.

[@ricoocastroo]

@@XIshotzXI even a donkey would know i was being sarcastic, but yea not everybody is a genius.🤡

[@user-io8sl1em7h]

good luck and congrats -great fight

[@oliverdorsett3167]

Francis is such a beast in the ring but very softly spoken and a really nice guy.fairplay to him.dana is out of order.respect all your fighters they are risking there lifes for entertainment

[@ahmedololadeyusuf9008]

Ngannou was just being straight with the interviewer here, he said he wasn't confidence of his strikings, meanwhile he tore his ACL and MCL too, had it been it was someone else they may have given some flimsy excuses to call of the fight, so tell me, what if he was completely okay, what would have happened, and I could see gane running away from ngannou's punches, who does that...

[@MsStar451]

everyone thought his only way to victory was early knockout damn did he prove us all wrong, people were so sure Gane would win ahahahaa

[@ahmedsaidi438]

Great personality big up

[@eamonahern7495]

A gentleman outside the octagon. I like how he made it so clear what he wants from the contract negotiations. I hope he gets his knee sorted ASAP.

[@brucegelman5582]

White showed his true colors by not belting Francis last night.Francis should leave now and has every right to.

[@perfectcreature1]

People do not understand how much that slam took out of Gane, he looked more gassed out than Francis, just look at his body language his soul left his body ✌🏾

[@amabu210wherecanwewatchful4]

Nice speech boss man😎

[@Sam-on5yx]

Love his smile

[@Craftbeerdude]

Great sportmanship there , congratulations champ

[@Jal_El]

Francis Ngannougomedov 💂🏿🦅🤼‍♂️💪🏾

[@MrWest-ph5yg]

Can't doubt this man well done Francis.

[@TBE99]

Figueiredo and Ngannou easy picks easy win 💪🏽💪🏽. Never let hype and agendas cloud your judgment 😎

[@cmac5365]

Moreno is a beast tho

[@johnbishop2536]

@@cmac5365 Just hope the fame hasn't changed him cuz all he did was point and wave his hands about

[@bbwchannel8091]

Francis always say his mind and stand by it, that's what a real man's like👍 .

[@kelvink3628]

The boss and champion 😊 big love Africa ❤

[@360Fov]

I wanted Gane to win, just to shake things up but Francis deserved the victory... unlike Dave

[@domsugar9160]

Traitor 🤷

[@marimonroe9732]

Lmao davison clearly won 3-2 and Gane won the first 2 and 5 in my opinion but okay casual

[@tobi-dn9th]

@@marimonroe9732 he did won the first 2 but the the 5th round was definitely Francis's win

[@manekhotchoc949]

Great human being first and foremost and the baddest man on the planet !!! Lesss gooooo Francis 🔥🔥🔥

[@a.s.b1432]

Humble giant 🙏🙏🙏

[@mmppeessee5625]

Ngannou 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jorgesantoine24]

He's a laid back kinda guy...very cool 😎 😎

[@akashshelke5330]

Both Ngannou and Cyril are gentleman

[@jacoblott4002]

I dont get why Dana wont pay this man but will pay McGregor. Makes u think, the only thing I can think is Conor sells way more pay per views. But Dana not doing the press conference and not putting the belt on Francis really tells u all u need to know. Dana did not want this man to win. I hope Francis gets everything he deserves, if that's in the UFC or not

[@finished6267]

Great white hope. Heard of it?

[@marimonroe9732]

Maybe because Mcregor is the biggest ppv star of all time lmao get over it casuals

[@johnbishop2536]

@@finished6267 Conor made it twice so how can he be a white hope

[@SuperCamineros]

Damn i grow to like Francis, his english is getting so good

[@marimonroe9732]

Yours clearly needs improvement lmao

[@SuperCamineros]

@@marimonroe9732 hamik lan lu bo beng pek kan wa kong hamik

[@Kieran-jq5kk]

Great man, great story, respect his journey massively, but him v Fury is such a boring idea. Mma v boxing is pointless.

[@redhabour79xbl56]

that smile when he said he did it 🤣🤣😚👏👏

[@elevenAD]

I didnt know this dude could wrestle! Scary!

[@thereporter3690]

True to himself, the peoples champ!

[@ndehcain7446]

My felicitations champ

[@CCFour]

We need more interviewers like her, great example. 👍🏾

[@maryamkim1281]

Yes, excellent.

[@TerrenceThomas]

Well done Caroline. 🙌🏾

[@mveuntambia1235]

The Champ stay the Champ. Period

[@merlinoner]

So glad that Francis also won his fight against Dana White and the UFC.

[@naisiunnaheireann1752]

Amen

[@RebelWithoutACause_]

Top man and worthy Champion..

[@Shithappenswhenu]

It's Super Hard not to like this guy, especially by the end of the interview. Absolute Legend I hope Dana let's him box. He deserves it and so much more.

[@kvbvl7285]

Ngannou’s evolution is like a Tiger learning that it can swim😰

[@everydaycarry_smartphone]

UFC Africa! let's go! i love it

[@eddievenuto1862]

He's so big and muscular he makes everyone look a little

[@ericmwango7638]

Fierce as he may be Francis Ngannou just oozes with grace man. Just a huggable big teddy bear

[@vumazwesiziba4103]

He climbing the goat ladder

[@bojka5578]

Croatian pride worldwide 💪🥊❤🇭🇷🇭🇷

[@Holly_2011]

Gentleman.

[@London2ATL]

Reading the first few comments and it's all positive towards Francis, am I on KZbin? Good to see people show love.

[@aaronmeikle5893]

He is scary now that he's got grappling was scary before but now he could.stay champion for years

[@daviddaniellopez3923]

I love her

[@rajatsinha6607]

Francis Nganoumedov is now my favourite fighter

[@successanyanwu5609]

Grade 3 MCL??? That’s a complete tear, he should’ve been nowhere near the octagon, Jesus

[@kuryanthomas1438]

i think hes overexaggerating his injuries. Prob had some knee issues but he wasnt limping around like durant did with the warriors against the raptors.

[@joshuahendricks7201]

@@kuryanthomas1438 That was an Achilles bro. Totally different injury.

[@LegendarySkypenis]

@@kuryanthomas1438 Durant isn't getting kicked by 260 pound athlete.