Top 10 Knockouts by Francis Ngannou
Yaar Francis Ngannou What a guy boss what can I tell you! When he first showed up in the UFC that December he looked like a regular Cameroonian dude. But in just a few years man he turned into the most terrifying knockout artist in the whole promotion. His punches when you hear them it’s like a power cut just hit a complete short circuit! My phone’s blinking low battery could be a power cut any minute but listen after hearing his story you’ll be like “What a legend!”
So his striking technique in a local French pro show Bhai that was like my old school PT teacher’s technique totally off standard. But he kept getting better in the ring and those Arab Belgians they ended up on stretchers. His talent it was just visible like the airport lights shining from afar in Delhi you can’t miss it. People tried to pump him full of excuses but Prince Francis he got 2000 euros for that fight. He realized “Man an MMA career isn’t a waste of time.” My buddy once lost 2000 rupees betting on a cricket match he cried the whole day.
Ngannou’s UFC debut that December he showed up with a funny haircut record 5-0. His opponent was Luis Henrique a Brazilian guy good at wrestling and grappling. First minute itself Henrique grabbed his leg and put Ngannou on his back like a “Welcome to UFC kid!” The referee stood them up but Henrique kept trying to close the distance. By the end of the first round he paid for being so pushy. Almost went to sleep. But the real drama happened in the second round. The tired Brazilian started backing away. Ngannou took advantage unleashed a series of blows to the block and then landed a devastating code that made millions of viewers worldwide remember the African’s name. Man after watching that knockout I felt like my phone which is like 8% right now would explode too. Across the entire world the African’s name just echod.
➤ Power Beats Everything, Boss
Ngannou’s third UFC fight was against Boyan Mihajlovic. The first Serb in the UFC. He was on a 10-fight win streak but all those wins were in Europe against questionable opposition. For Ngannou Mihajlovic was just prey. Mihajlovic circled for over a minute keeping a non-contact distance. When he finally got stuck against the fence and couldn’t retreat Ngannou switched on his signature mill. Caught the Serb and earned his third early victory in the promotion. Then came the fight with Orlovski; Ngannou had four wins in a row by then. Arlovski tried to evade for 15 seconds throwing leg shots. But Arlovski’s heart couldn’t take it he dared to attack and instantly regretted it. This knockout was the first one Francis got a bonus for. Money money!
Then the Cain Velasquez fight. Bhai Cain Velasquez! People had been waiting for his comeback for almost three years. “Best cardio vs most powerful punch” that’s how the media hyped it up. But man cardio wasn’t even needed. Only two approaches, in the first Cain slipped a dangerous punch. In the second he just unexpectedly shut off. On replay it wasn’t immediately clear what caused Velasquez to fall. Many thought it was a broken knee. But no it was Ngannou’s uppercut that made the former heavyweight king fall. My uncle once made masala dosa and it ended up like that too totally smashed!
The fight against Dos Santos was next. “Gypsy” had been suspended for six months. He returned got three straight wins. He was seriously talking about title ambitions but then Ngannou got in his way. The Brazilian made the first real move knocking his opponent off balance with a well-timed low kick. Ngannou reacted surprisingly. He didn’t put full effort into each punch and didn’t chase his opponent just carefully waited for an opportunity. The Cameroonian pinned Santos against the net landed his first clean hit and 20 seconds later hit him again. Punished the punching bag for his mistake. Talk about opponents being afraid to stand in front of the Cameroonian became even more real.
Against Blaydes in their first fight Ngannou had lost twice in a row. But this time he took the center and waited. Blaydes attacked Ngannou fired back. It looked like the fight could have been stopped after the first hit but the referee gave Blaydes a chance. And in the end that just meant another ten blows for the finishing shot. Ngannou went on a winning streak and got his main contender status back.
Then the second fight with Stipe Miocic. Ngannou had lost the first one. This time he moved to the USA got a new team. Survived all the oxygen jokes. Was on a four-fight winning streak. Miocic had become a father won the trilogy with Cormier. Fans still remembered their first fight. But this time neither fighter wanted to risk it. Ngannou loaded up the right sledgehammer. Miocic stood his ground. Ngannou even connected with a high kick. Miocic probably hoped the challenger would get tired but that moment never came. Stipe got a left from the side a few seconds later he was knocked down. He managed to get up climbed back for a rematch but Miocic shook the Cameroonian with a right cross and believed too much in his success. A left hook came from nowhere giving Ngannou the championship belt and the spectators a picturesque fall. What a scene!
Finally the fight with Alistair Overeem. Overeem an elite striker number one in the rankings. Left uppercut. Ruthless finishing moves. The convulsions in Overeem’s legs showed how severe that knockout was. It was recognized as the best knockout of the year. What did Ngannou himself say “Power beats timing power beats speed power beats technique.” That’s his mantra boss! Even during load-shedding when I watch this fight I feel an electric current!
