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Francis Ngannou Predicts Africa Return With Usman, Adesanya, With Or Without The UFC

Reigning UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has claimed that he, as well as current welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, and defending middleweight best, Israel Adesanya will all compete in a return to Africa, even if the UFC elect against hosting their premier event on the continent. Ngannou, who headlines UFC 270 this weekend, attempts to successfully […]

Ngannou, who headlines UFC 270 this weekend, attempts to successfully unify the heavyweight titles against MMA Factory standout, the undefeated interim gold holder, Ciryl Gane.

Francis Ngannou rides a five-fight knockout run into this weekend’s title clash with Ciryl Gane

The outing will come as Ngannou’s first since seizing the undisputed heavyweight title back in March with a thunderous second round knockout win over Stipe Miocic. And even more noteworthy, Saturday’s outing is the final on Ngannou’s current contract with the UFC, as his immediate fighting future with the organization remains firmly up in the air.

Whilst events which transpire on Saturday at UFC 270 will go a long way in factoring into the immediate future of Ngannou with the UFC, the Batie native touched on his future hopes to fight in his native Cameroon, and admitted that it’s paramount for himself, the aforenoted, Usman, and Adesanya to compete on the continent of Africa, even if the UFC elects against hosting an event there.

“It is a big dream to fight in Cameroon, but I also know it will be very hard to make a reality at this point,” Francis Ngannou told Stake during a recent interview ahead of UFC 270. “However, I believe eventually we will figure out a way to make it happen to fight for our people. It’s very important to each of us – myself, Israel (Adesanya) and (Kamaru) Usman. Ideally with the UFC, but even without the UFC, that is going to happen one day.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

While Francis Ngannou features this weekend in Anaheim, California – Adesanya is slated to return next month at UFC 271 in a middleweight championship rematch against former titleholder, Robert Whittaker.

For Auchi-born welterweight kingpin, Usman is expected to return sometime this summer in a potential welterweight title rematch against former-foe, the #3 ranked contender, Leon Edwards.

Ciryl Gane: The Man Who Made Francis Ngannou Is On My Side

Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane says it’s the presence of Fernand Lopez on his side that makes him confident heading into his unification showdown with former teammate Francis Ngannou.

Gane’s rise from unknown prospect to championship s…

Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane says it’s the presence of Fernand Lopez on his side that makes him confident heading into his unification showdown with former teammate Francis Ngannou.

Gane’s rise from unknown prospect to championship status has been as impressive as it’s been rapid. In the four years since making the transition from Muay Thai to MMA, “Bon Gamin” has made it to the sport’s premier promotion, extended his unblemished record to 10-0, defeated former world champions, and had UFC gold wrapped around his waist.

However, his next challenge will be his toughest to date. In the UFC 270 main event this weekend, Gane will lock horns with reigning titleholder Ngannou. With a battle of power versus a new technical approach to heavyweight fighting, the opening pay-per-view headliner of 2022 promises to be enthralling.

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Gane Explains Where His Confidence Derives From

One of the main storylines heading into the January 22 event is the previous history and connection the two heavyweight champs share. Prior to his move to Xtreme Couture in 2018, Ngannou was one of the top names out of Paris’ MMA Factory gym, where he trained under Coach Fernand Lopez.

But after a bitter split and a soured relationship, one that has become more public in the weeks and months leading up to UFC 270, the feud between Ngannou and Lopez has added an extra level of intrigue to the contest, as the 43-year-old looks to take down his former student with the help of his current pupil.

For Gane, this unique dynamic is what makes him so confident heading into his unification clash with “The Predator.” While many would expect his experience sparring with Ngannou to help the most, Gane told Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole that it is the presence of Lopez on his side that has boosted his self-belief.

“We have improved a lot (since I sparred Ngannou). So, no, this is not what exactly makes me confident. This is more because I’ve got Fernand Lopez on my side,” said Gane. “This is a better thing to make me confident because he knows him, he make him, you understand? So this gives me more confidence than the sparring.”

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With the clash of styles, the heated feud between Ngannou and Lopez, and the champion’s ongoing contractual dispute and uncertain future, not many heavyweight contests have had as many compelling stories in the build-up as Gane vs. Ngannou. We’ll see if that makes for exciting action inside the Octagon come January 22.

Do you think having Fernand Lopez in his corner will help Ciryl Gane to defeat his former teammate Francis Ngannou at UFC 270?

Continue Reading Ciryl Gane: The Man Who Made Francis Ngannou Is On My Side at MMA News.

Dana White: Brandon Moreno Is Already A Huge Star

Dana White believes UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno has already established himself as a “huge star” on the global MMA stage.

In 2018, Moreno was cut from the UFC following back-to-back losses to Sergio Pettis and Alexandre Pantoja. Fast forw…

Dana White believes UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno has already established himself as a “huge star” on the global MMA stage.

In 2018, Moreno was cut from the UFC following back-to-back losses to Sergio Pettis and Alexandre Pantoja. Fast forward three-and-a-half years and “The Assassin Baby” sits atop the flyweight mountain having etched his name in history as the promotion’s first Mexican-born titleholder.

Moreno achieved that status at UFC 263 last June. After taking the seemingly-unstoppable Deiveson Figueiredo to a majority draw at UFC 256 six months prior, the Tijuana native earned an immediate rematch.

In front of a sold-out Arizona crowd, Moreno achieved his dream of having UFC gold wrapped around his waist. He did so after securing a remarkable rear-naked choke submission in the third round.

From humble beginnings…??? #UFC263 @TheAssassinBaby pic.twitter.com/KW6qQLO5Ys
— UFC (@ufc) June 13, 2021

With his coveted status as Mexico’s first champ, his unique and likeable personality, and his immense ability in the Octagon, Moreno is quickly becoming one of the UFC’s top names and most popular champions.

During a recent interview with Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole, UFC President Dana White was asked if he believes Moreno is on his way to becoming a star. He responded by suggesting “The Assassin Baby” already is one.

“He already is (a star), he already is. I’ve been saying this to everybody,” White said. “Watch Saturday night when that kid comes into the arena. You don’t realize it until you do. We do some of these signings, and things like that with him, this kid’s a huge star and you’re really gonna see it and feel it on Saturday.”

Moreno Is Gearing Up For A 3rd Consecutive Title Fight Against Figueiredo

Having secured his spot on the 125-pound throne in 2021, Moreno’s attention will now turn towards defending the title and further cementing his place at the top of the division.

To do that, he’ll have to get past Figueiredo again. In the pair’s third consecutive title fight, they’ll meet for a blockbuster trilogy showdown in this weekend’s UFC 270 co-main event.

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While Moreno is being seen as the favorite by many, including oddsmakers like Draft Kings, the Brazilian appears to be in fine shape heading into his chance at redemption.

If Figueiredo avoids the weight-cutting issues he claims hampered his UFC 263 outing, we may see “Deus Da Guerra” back to his best on Saturday. If that’s the case, he’ll be a tough man to beat.

Who do you think will emerge victorious in the UFC 270 co-main event, Brandon Moreno or Deiveson Figueiredo?

Continue Reading Dana White: Brandon Moreno Is Already A Huge Star at MMA News.

Ngannou Warns Gane About Trying To “Win On Points” At UFC 270

UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou has warned upcoming opponent Ciryl Gane that playing the long game for a decision at UFC 270 won’t end well for him.

In one of the most intriguing and highly anticipated heavyweight matchups of all time, for…

UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou has warned upcoming opponent Ciryl Gane that playing the long game for a decision at UFC 270 won’t end well for him.

In one of the most intriguing and highly anticipated heavyweight matchups of all time, former teammates Ngannou and Gane will collide in this weekend’s main event for a blockbuster unification showdown.

While “The Predator” secured his place on the throne at the second time of trying last March by knocking out Stipe Miocic, “Bon Gamin” continued his rapid and impressive rise to the top by having interim gold wrapped around his waist in August with a dominant display against Derrick Lewis.

The pair will now share the Octagon this Saturday, with a number of compelling storylines making the opening pay-per-view headliner of 2022 one not to miss.

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Ngannou Warns Gane Of “Big Risk”

One of the biggest talking points heading into the January 22 event is the history between the two headliners. Ngannou and Gane used to be teammates over at Paris’ renowned MMA Factory gym. While the Cameroonian departed in 2018 and has since developed a bitter feud with Coach Fernand Lopez, France’s Gane remains a top name there.

With recently released sparring footage showing the two elite heavyweights going at it in training, fans and pundits have discussed whether that experience facing one another will benefit either man. For Ngannou, a few sparring sessions years ago won’t play a part in this weekend’s result.

“I am not actually very familiar with Gane – I have only trained with him less than eight times for a few weeks three years ago,” Ngannou told Stake. “That is not enough to know that much about it. Also, everyone has improved and worked on different things since then – so it doesn’t mean anything for me. But yes, he is an all-round good fighter whose abilities I am aware of.”

While Ngannou acknowledges the talent and unique technical style Gane possesses, he believes his opponent’s strategy could be his downfall. “The Predator” suggested that if the interim champ attempts to outpoint him across 25 minutes, things won’t end well for “Bon Gamin.”

“I heard Gane wants to go five rounds and win on points. That is definitely a big risk with my power to try and last that long,” added Ngannou. “It will have to be his very lucky day to survive the first round or two, let alone five. If he makes five rounds, it will be a big accomplishment for him.”

With that in mind, Ngannou went on to predict another early knockout.

“My prediction is that it will probably be a second-round knockout from me – or at least I will have knocked him out in under two rounds.”

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If Ngannou’s prediction comes to fruition, it will maintain his 100% finishing record, a stat that’s seen him end all of his victories before the fights saw a third round. But if Gane is able to avoid the champ’s power, like he managed against Lewis and Jairzinho Rozenstruik in 2021, he’ll extend his unbeaten record to 11-0.

Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 270, Francis Ngannou or Ciryl Gane?

Continue Reading Ngannou Warns Gane About Trying To “Win On Points” At UFC 270 at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou Converting Half Of UFC 270 Purse To Bitcoin

UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou intends to invest half of his purse from UFC 270 into Bitcoin and plans on giving a portion to fans.

Ngannou is set to face interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane in the UFC 270 main event. This will be his…

UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou intends to invest half of his purse from UFC 270 into Bitcoin and plans on giving a portion to fans.

Ngannou is set to face interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane in the UFC 270 main event. This will be his first fight in the Octagon since earning the belt against Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 last year.

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani was the first the report the news via his Instagram page.

In addition to converting half of his purse into cryptocurrency, Ngannou will also partner up with Cash App to giveaway $300,000 worth of Bitcoin to fans through his Twitter and Instagram pages.

Ngannou’s reported purse conversion comes just weeks after former UFC title challenger Kevin Lee announced that he would be paid exclusively in Bitcoin for his fights in Eagle FC. He signed with the promotion last month after being let go by the UFC.

Ngannou joins a long list of current and former athletes who are dipping their toes into the world of cryptocurrency. Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren along with NFL stars Aaron Rodgers and Odell Beckham Jr. are just a few of the names involved in Bitcoin.

Ngannou’s fight against Gane could be his last with the UFC, as he and the promotion are still working to come to terms on a new deal. While UFC President Dana White has remained optimistic that a deal can get done, Ngannou has voiced his displeasure with how he’s been treated by the promotion in recent months and years.

It’s unclear if Ngannou’s partnership with Cash App and cryptocurrency will be a long-term deal or a short-term one, but it’s clear that Bitcoin is continuing to make waves in the world of sports.

What is your reaction to Francis Ngannou converting a portion of his purse to Bitcoin?

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou Converting Half Of UFC 270 Purse To Bitcoin at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou Teases Big Surprises Ahead Of Ciryl Gane Matchup

UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou may have some surprises in store for Ciryl Gane during their clash at UFC 270.

Ngannou will make his first heavyweight title defense against the interim champ Gane to kick-off 2022. This is his first fight i…

UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou may have some surprises in store for Ciryl Gane during their clash at UFC 270.

Ngannou will make his first heavyweight title defense against the interim champ Gane to kick-off 2022. This is his first fight in the Octagon since earning the belt over Stipe Miocic in a vicious knockout at UFC 260 last year.

Ngannou has always been known for his knockout power, but his takedown defense and overall grappling showed big gains in his last fight. While he’ll always be a striker first, he’s looking to prove that he’s not one-dimensional in his approach.

During a recent interview with MMA journalist Megan Olivi, Ngannou tells fans to expect the unexpected at UFC 270.

“I’m cooking something that I’m gonna surprise people with. They think they have seen a lot of my tools, and I’m coming up with something. Having those short fights never really (gave) me an opportunity to showcase what I’m capable of. And I think this might be the opportunity, and I’m getting ready for that, January 22. It’s gonna be like a (completely) different fighter in the best way.

Francis Ngannou (Image Credit: Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

“Obviously, the power’s still gonna be there. I won’t take that off. It’s a good thing to always have in your pocket in case you need it. Because even though I want to really (put on a show), I won’t say no to a knockout, even if it comes in the first minute. So January 22, you’re gonna understand why I’m the champ.”

Ngannou will more than likely need a balanced approach to his fight with Gane. A former teammate of his at MMA Factory, Gane has shown a diverse skillset in recent wins over Derrick Lewis and Junior dos Santos. His movement has been compared to that of a modern-day welterweight.

Things have become tense between Ngannou and his former coach Fernand Lopez, but Gane recently assured fans that there’s no bad blood between the two heavyweight titans. If the recent buildup and interviews are any indication, Ngannou and Gane look to put on an all-time classic at UFC 270.

What is your prediction for Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane?

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou Teases Big Surprises Ahead Of Ciryl Gane Matchup at MMA News.