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October 25, 2023 8:00 am ET
With MMA’s lineal heavyweight champion taking over boxing’s lineal heavyweight champion this Saturday, it’s the right time to have a look again on the rise of Francis Ngannou earlier than he steps within the ring with Tyson Fury.
Ngannou, whose incredible story of perseverance, spans throughout three continents, initially got down to be a boxer oddly sufficient.
Nonetheless, after circumstances introduced him to the MMA Manufacturing unit in France, Ngannou ended up beginning his skilled fight sports activities profession in blended martial arts. Ngannou’s rise hasn’t been with out his justifiable share of stumbles, however MMA’s “Baddest Man on the Planet” has continued to show his doubters flawed, all whereas offering us with some spectacular highlight-reel moments alongside the way in which.
With that in thoughts, beneath is a glance again at his 10 best (and most vicious) knockouts that put Ngannou on the map.
10
Francis Ngannou knocks out Bilal Tahtahi at 100% Battle 20 (April 5, 2014)
Regardless of this choice coming from Ngannou’s early days on the regional circuit, it greater than deserves to be on this listing.
Apart from the truth that Ngannou practically sends Bilal Tahtahi flying by means of the ropes, the Cameroonian goliath demonstrates a stable double-jab setup earlier than delivering the loss of life blow.
Francis Ngannou dropped and completed Bilal Tahtahi R1 at 100% Battle 20 – Comeback (2014) #UFCPhoenix pic.twitter.com/DO1U7RgiLo
— HONKY EXTRAORDINAIRE (@Mr_Honky) February 13, 2019
The world could not have recognized Ngannou’s title presently, however this was actually an indication of issues to return.
9
Francis Ngannou stops Curtis Blaydes by way of physician’s stoppage at UFC Battle Evening 86 (April 10, 2016)
Though physician’s stoppages can undoubtedly be anti-climactic, I nonetheless thought Ngannou’s first win over Curtis Blaydes deserved a shout on this listing.
Nagnnou, who was up towards his first massive (American) wrestling check, was the odds-on underdog heading into this combat. Not solely did Ngannou show some underrated takedown protection in exchanges, however he additionally confirmed the power to work and counter successfully from a southpaw stance.
In reality, Ngannou’s counter-cross from southpaw was so efficient that it ended up swelling Blaydes’ proper eye utterly shut.
10 April 2016
UFC Battle Evening: Rothwell vs. dos Santos
Francis defeats Curtis Blaydes in Croatia.
It was an enormous win, as Curtis was a extremely regarded prospect at HW.
Francis confirmed stable TDD on this combat.
Wins resulting from Physician Stoppage on the finish of Spherical 2 pic.twitter.com/rjYsLCrSK7
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) October 23, 2023
8
Francis Ngannou knocks out Cain Velasquez at UFC on ESPN 1 (Feb. 17, 2019)
Francis Ngannou (crimson gloves) knocks out Cain Velasquez throughout their heavyweight bout at Speaking Stick Resort Area. (Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports activities)
After finishing his sequence with Blaydes, Ngannou was set to problem the outdated guard of heavyweight wrestling greats in Cain Velasquez.
Sadly for the UFC and Velasquez alike, this promotional debut on ESPN – akin to the UFC’s debut on FOX (which additionally concerned Velasquez) – ended early with an harm in tow.
Francis Ngannou finishes Cain Velasquez in simply 26 seconds!pic.twitter.com/z8LBBX7tuN
— Motion Community (@ActionNetworkHQ) February 18, 2019
That stated, Velasquez, who was all class within the post-fight interview, credited Ngannou’s energy and the preliminary quick shot that put him down.
7
Francis Ngannou knocks out Curtis Blaydes at UFC Battle Evening 141 (Nov. 24, 2018)
Francis Ngannou reacts after ending Curtis Blaydes throughout UFC Battle Evening at Cadillac Area.
In what was Ngannou’s first profession rematch, he made good by stopping Blaydes in simply 45 seconds.
24 November 2018
UFC Battle Evening: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2
Francis begins his revenge streak in China.
TKOs Curtis Blaydes once more
This time in 45 seconds pic.twitter.com/14nXwcekon
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) October 23, 2023
Blaydes could have been simply as mad concerning the stoppage this time round, however it’s onerous guilty a referee for being triggered to cease a combat when a person as harmful as Ngannou is sending you face first to the mat.
Marc Goddard gave Blaydes some stable possibilities to remain within the combat, however the onslaught was in the end an excessive amount of.
6
Francis Ngannou knocks out Junior Dos Santos at UFC on ESPN 3 (June 29, 2019)
Serving as his second consecutive check reverse a former UFC heavyweight champion, Ngannou was set to face a fellow striker in Junior Dos Santos.
Regardless of being previous his prime by this level, Dos Santos was quietly using a three-fight profitable streak heading into this contest. Sadly for Dos Santos, the Brazilian bought his clock cleaned early after lacking massive on a strafing run.
Francis Ngannou dropped Junior Dos Santos early pic.twitter.com/u684V8ItLD
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) June 30, 2019
Not solely was this one more instance of how Ngannou doesn’t have to land cleanly, however the countering change can be paying homage to the following knockout on this listing.
5
Francis Ngannou knocks out Andrei Arlovski at UFC on FOX 23 (Jan. 28, 2017)
Francis Ngannou KOs Andrei Arlovski.
Regardless of being a professional fighter for simply over three years at this level, Ngannou already discovered himself being booked towards former UFC heavyweight champions.
And for Ngannou’s first massive check, he drew the division’s outdated guard of explosive athlete in Andrei Arlovski.
Though Arlovski was nicely previous his prime and using a three-fight skid heading into this contest, the fan favourite was greater than appropriate sufficient to offer an acceptable check for Nagnnou – no less than on paper.
Sadly for Arlovski and his followers alike, that check didn’t final lengthy.
28 January 2017
UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. Peña
Ngannou blasts by means of Andrei Arlovski
by way of TKO in 1:32Arlovski was a former champion and veteran.
This win sends him to the highest of the division. pic.twitter.com/FOsz9GKSHp
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) October 23, 2023
The explanation why I price this knockout barely increased than his Dos Santos stoppage is that Ngannou – regardless of having to punch towards the momentum on his physique – nonetheless delivers sufficient energy to carry Arlovski off the mat earlier than he instantly comes crashing down.
4
Francis Ngannou knocks out Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249 (Might 9, 2020)
Though that is in all probability the sloppiest of the alternatives, there’s no denying that Nagnnou’s knockout over Jairzinho Rozenstruik can be probably the most devastating on this listing.
I bought Eric Nicksick to interrupt down Francis Ngannou’s knockout of Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249 utilizing Airr
Take pleasure in pic.twitter.com/CjxEc48ZYc
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) February 8, 2023
This was one in every of Ngannou’s first combat camps with the Xtreme Couture staff, and – as Eric Nicksick explains above – there was really a way to their insanity right here.
Nonetheless, as soon as Ngannou sees the set off he was on the lookout for, all hell breaks free.
— Dom (@Frittenpate) February 21, 2021
3
Francis Ngannou knocks out Luis Henrique at UFC on FOX 17 (Dec. 19, 2015)
Luis Henrique is checked out following his knockout loss towards Francis Ngannou throughout UFC Battle Evening at Amway Middle. (Reinhold Matay, USA TODAY Sports activities)
Notching the No. 3 spot is a 2015 knockout that I can bear in mind prefer it was yesterday.
Not solely was I consuming at my favourite brunch spot in Waikiki with a balcony view, however this was additionally the primary occasion the place I spotted that the (at the moment) newly launched UFC Battle Move app allowed you to look at reside fights out of your telephone.
Realizing this late in an inebriated state, I rapidly popped my app open to instantly witness Ngannou – who has a debuting fighter that I used to be unfamiliar with – practically decapitating poor Luis Henrique on reside tv.
19 December 2015
UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2
Ngannou debuts within the UFC.
KOs Luis Henrique in Spherical 2
Harmful Energy like no different
Commentary botch his title. pic.twitter.com/SvInTkFS4c
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) October 23, 2023
This shovel hook variation and hammer fist follow-up, which ended up turning into a staple of Ngannou’s recreation, was so terrifying that he had a shaken Joe Rogan interviewing him like a child providing “Imply” Joe Greene a Coke.
2
Francis Ngannou knocks out Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 (March 27, 2021)
Though this was Ngannou’s second rematch of his profession, this was the primary time he had the chance to avenge a loss.
And between the ignominious defeat he sustained to Stipe Miocic at UFC 220 to all of the criticisms that Ngannou and his camp took from all people from the pundits to the UFC president alike, there have been lots of people to show flawed.
After displaying some spectacular counter-wrestling in Spherical 1, Ngannou demonstrated the enhancements of his placing course of since working with famend MMA coach Eric Nicksick.
27 March 2021
UFC 260
Ngannou exacts revenge vs Miocic.
Claims the HW Belt
Far more affected person efficiency from Ngannou.
Main as much as a devasting KO in Spherical 2.
I want we had seen extra of those performances from Francis. pic.twitter.com/tQv4pN5uro
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) October 23, 2023
Not solely did Ngannou make the most of upgraded footwork and vary administration, however his centerline shot choice proved problematic for the level-changing sensibilities of Miocic.
Add within the eery quietness of the UFC Apex throughout this level of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this knockout feels additional brutal to soak up.
1
Francis Ngannou knocks out Alistair Overeem at UFC 218 (Dec. 2, 2017)
Incomes the highest slot is probably probably the most scariest knockouts of MMA’s trendy period.
I don’t know if it surpasses all-time classics like Quinton Jackson’s knockout of Ricardo Arona, however it’s undoubtedly among the many ranks of fights like Yoel Romero vs. Chris Weidman the place I significantly fear concerning the fallen fighter’s quick well being.
#OnThisDay in 2017…
🇨🇲 @Francis_Ngannou delivered an ALL-TIME GREAT KO vs Alistair Overeem. pic.twitter.com/4wYWsKQPxt
— UFC (@ufc) December 2, 2020
Contemporary off his first win over a former UFC champion, Ngannou nukes probably the most adorned heavyweight opponents in fight sports activities when he blasts Overeem into orbit.
Apart from this knockout being an immediate basic that might be atop anybody’s listing, it’s additionally one in every of my extra proud calls as an analyst contemplating that I correctly called the Floyd Patterson vs. Sonny Liston vibes forward on this collision.
Forgive my self-indulgence, however seeing that is one other reminder that historical past parodies itself brutally in fight sports activities.
(Liston vs. Patterson, 1962 and Ngannou vs. Overeem, #UFC218) pic.twitter.com/sD2g0jEjFC
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) December 3, 2017
You’ll want to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.
