Ngannou: Maybe I am supposed to fight all of them
Francis Ngannou says perhaps he is supposed to fight the entire division
UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou has a story so compelling, so noble, that UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier asked to take a picture with him.
He was born in Cameroon, the 148th poorest country in the world, and, inspired by Mike Tyson, journeyed to France for opportunity. There he suffered homelessness, until he walked into an MMA gym in Paris.
They saw his potential, and he saw a path up.
Saturday night at UFC on FOX 20 he ran his UFC streak in the notoriously streak-free heavyweight division to 3-0, by clubbing Serbia’s Bojan Mihajlovic in just 94 seconds.
There were some who called referee Herb Dean’s stoppage early. However, there must be two elements to a stoppage: One, there must be danger sufficient to cause injury, and two, there must be a lack of intelligent defense. Mihajlovic was in danger; Francis Ngannou hover over you dropping bombs as you bleed is pretty much the definition of danger. And laying on your side covering your head is not an intelligent defense.
It was a good, just stoppage.
And Francis Ngannou is a prospect.
Purses for beginning UFC fighters are not large. In his first and only UFC fight in 2015, he made $22,500 (10k to show, 10k to win, and 2.5k in Reebok money). With what was left after taxes and expenses, he bought some equipment to outfit a gym in Cameroon to inspire youths there. His next fight, in April of this year, he made $26,500 (12k to show, 12k more to win, and 2.5k in Reebok money). With what was left, he bought a building in Cameroon for the gym.
Although salaries have not been released, he probably made just over $30,000, and will doubtless further his dream of helping his homeland. Especially since he was passed over for a performance bonus, it would be very awesome if the UFC aided his efforts, if they are not already doing so.
I’m not just here for the super fights, said Ngannou post fight, as transcribed by Steven Marrocco for MMAjunkie. I have some goals, and my goal is not only one fight.
My goal is the belt, and everyone they give me to fight, I’m going to fight them, because maybe I’m supposed to fight all of them. I’m here for a long time. I’m not just here for two days or one week.
Next stop might be Stefan Stuve.
In the mean time, check out the highlights below.
