Recording-breaking performance: Cameroon’s Francis Nganou Emerges First African UFC Heavyweight Champion

34-year-old Cameroonian mixed martial artist, Nganou Francis has emerged as first African to win the Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC Heavyweight. 

The Predator as he is popularly known backed the title after defeating Stipe Miocic in the second round of their UFC 260 headliner on Saturday 27 March 2021 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Miocic (20-4, 14-4 UFC) succumbed to blows 52 seconds into Round 2 of the fight from Nganou’s massive fists.

The win was a revenge for Nganou after he was deafeated by Stipe in 2018. Ngannou (16-3, 11-2 UFC) fought at a frighteningly measured pace from the start, picking his spots while he probed for openings. Ngannou said having to wait three years to avenge the loss to Miocic made Saturday's victory even sweeter.

"When the journey is longer, the reward is always more appreciated," he said, adding, that "I'm sure I would have been happy three years ago, but I think now I have a different perspective about it, being happy with my improvement and my fighting IQ."

The US-based native of Batie in the West Region of Cameroon sprawled out of a Miocic takedown in the first round, punished him with crushing ground-and-pound and set the stage for what was to second round win.

Ngannou put his opponent on unsteady feet with a short but devastating left hook, and then uncorked a left hook that sent the champion careening backward, his right leg bending awkwardly beneath him. He then followed Stipe with a final hammer fist drew on the chest to draw the curtain to become the latest “Baddest Man on the Planet”.

In his postfight presser, Nganou said the secret behind game plan that ushered him to victory was to “be relaxed, not to rush at all”. He added: “my team knows that that's the moment I have the best of myself. When I'm relaxed and not rushing."

With the win, the Cameroonian is now expected to fight UFC all-time great Jon Jones, who is moving up to heavyweight after dominating the light heavyweight division for the last decade. Fighting Jones according to Nganou, "makes the most sense". 

"In my opinion, Jon Jones is the greatest of all time in mixed martial arts…him moving up is going to be a challenge I will take. It'll be a very good challenge...” he said, indicating his readiness to face Jones. Ngannou's 10 UFC knockouts are the second-most in UFC heavyweight history, behind Derrick Lewis' 12.

Ngannou (16-3) is perhaps the most dangerous knockout artist in UFC history. He has won five in a row, all by first-round knockout. In those last four bouts coming into Saturday, Ngannou had stopped his opponents in 72 seconds or less. He has eight first-round finishes in 10 UFC wins.

Ngannou has 12 career knockout finishes overall. His 10 UFC knockouts are tied for the second-most in UFC heavyweight history behind Lewis (12). Ngannou is now the third African-born UFC champion, along with Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya. 

By Doh Bertrand with additional reports from ESPN