Francis Ngannou, a Cameroonian-French professional mixed martial artist and former UFC heavyweight champion, has made a name for himself with his incredible power and striking ability. Born and raised in the village of Batié, Cameroon, Ngannou faced numerous challenges as a child, including poverty and a lack of formal education.
You can follow Francis Ngannou’s net worth, salary, earnings, UFC career, stats, wife, and more here.
Francis Ngannou’s Biography
| Full name | Francis Zavier Ngannou |
|---|---|
| Nickname | The Predator |
| Birth date | September 5, 1986 |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 257 lb (117 kg) |
| Reach | 83 in (211 cm) |
| Birthplace | Batié, Cameroon |
| Nationality | Cameroonian French |
| Current net worth | $15 million |
| Relationship status | Unknown |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Unknown |
| Instagram profile | @francisngannou |
Francis Zavier Ngannou was born on September 5, 1986, in Batié, Cameroon. He grew up in poverty and had little formal education.
Ngannou’s parents divorced when he was six years old, and he was sent to live with his aunt. At age 10, he started working in a sand quarry in Batié to help support his family.
As a youngster, he was approached by several gangs in his village to join them, but he refused and decided to pursue boxing instead.
At 22, Ngannou began training in boxing despite his family’s initial reluctance. After teaching for a year, He stopped due to an illness.
He worked odd jobs to support himself until he was 26 and decided to go to Paris, France, to pursue professional boxing.
Early Career
After living homeless on the streets of Paris, Ngannou met Francis Carmont, who introduced him to Fernand Lopez and the MMA Factory.
Initially interested in learning how to box, Lopez convinced Ngannou to try MMA instead.
Lopez gave Ngannou some MMA gear and allowed him to train and sleep at the gym for free, thus starting his MMA career.
Ngannou began his MMA career in November 2013 and fought mostly in the French promotion 100% Fight and other regional promotions in Europe.
He compiled a record of 5–1 before signing with the UFC.
UFC Career
Francis Ngannou made his UFC debut against fellow newcomer Luis Henrique on December 19, 2015, at UFC on Fox 17. He won the fight via knockout in the second round.
Throughout his UFC career, Ngannou has achieved an impressive record of 17 wins and 3 losses, with 12 knockout victories showcasing his devastating striking power, four submission wins, and one decision victory.
His most significant achievement came in the UFC when he defeated Stipe Miocic to claim the UFC heavyweight championship on March 27, 2021.
After successfully defending the title against Ciryl Gane, he left the UFC.
Girlfriend
Francis Ngannou is currently unmarried. According to reports, he is dating the famous female professional mixed martial artist Miesha Tate, but this is only a rumor.
Francis Ngannou’s Net Worth Details
Francis Ngannou’s net worth is estimated to be $15 million as of 2025.
The former UFC heavyweight champion’s prime sources of earnings are his UFC salaries, performance bonuses, endorsements, and sponsorship deals.
Fight Salaries
In his early days with the UFC, Francis Ngannou earned just enough to get by.
However, as he rose through the ranks and shared the spotlight with fighters like Anderson Silva, he eventually secured a seven-figure income upon becoming the UFC Heavyweight Champion.
Below is a list of his income breakdown from recent bouts –
| Event | Guaranteed Payment | Bonus | Endorsement | Total |
| UFC 270 | $600,000 | – | $42,000 | $642,000 |
| UFC 260 | $500,000 | $50,000 | $30,000 | $580,000 |
| UFC 249 | $130,000 | $180,000 | $10,000 | $320,000 |
| UFC Fight Night: Ngannou vs dos Santos | $120,000 | $170,000 | $10,000 | $300,000 |
| UFC Fight Night: Ngannou vs Velasques | $110,000 | $160,000 | $5,000 | $225,000 |
| UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs Ngannou 2 | $100,000 | $150,000 | $5,000 | $225,000 |
Endorsements
Gym King Fight Division, CBD Research Labs, and Cryo Pain Relief have endorsed Ngannou.
UFC Records
| Total Fights | 20 |
|---|---|
| Wins | 17 |
| By knockout | 12 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 3 |
| By decision | 3 |
Achievement and Awards
- UFC Heavyweight Championship
- Nine Performance of the Night awards in the UFC
FAQs
1. Who is Francis Ngannou?
Francis Ngannou is a Cameroonian-French mixed martial artist and professional boxer. He is known for his incredible punching power and is the inaugural PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion. Formerly, he was the UFC Heavyweight Champion before leaving the promotion in 2023 to pursue boxing and other opportunities.
2. What is Francis Ngannou’s MMA record?
Francis Ngannou has a professional MMA record of 17 wins and 3 losses. He is renowned for his knockout power, with seven of his UFC victories ending in first-round knockouts before the two-minute mark.
3. What titles has Francis Ngannou won?
Ngannou won the UFC Heavyweight Championship on March 27, 2021, by defeating Stipe Miocic via second-round knockout. He also holds the PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Championship, which he won in October 2024.
4. What is Francis Ngannou’s net worth?
Francis Ngannou’s estimated net worth is $15 million. His wealth comes primarily from MMA, boxing, sponsorships, and endorsements with brands like Gymshark and CBD Research Labs.
5. What is Francis Ngannou’s background?
Ngannou grew up in poverty in Batié, Cameroon, working in a sand quarry at age 10. Inspired by Mike Tyson, he pursued boxing at age 22 but transitioned to MMA after moving to Paris and training under Fernand Lopez at MMA Factory.
6. Why did Francis Ngannou leave the UFC?
Ngannou left the UFC in early 2023 due to contractual disputes and dissatisfaction with fighter pay. He sought better opportunities and signed with the PFL, where he negotiated guarantees for his opponents and gained equity ownership in PFL Africa.
7. Has Francis Ngannou fought in boxing?
Yes, Ngannou debuted in professional boxing against Tyson Fury on October 28, 2023. Despite losing by split decision, he knocked Fury down in the third round, earning widespread praise for his performance.
8. What does Francis Ngannou do outside fighting?
Ngannou actively supports children in Cameroon by providing resources for boxing and MMA training. He has opened gyms to inspire young athletes and help them achieve their dreams despite challenging circumstances.
9. Is Francis Ngannou married?
Francis Ngannou’s marital status remains unknown as he keeps his personal life private. While rumors suggest he may be dating fellow athlete Miesha Tate, there has been no official confirmation.
10. What kind of training does Francis Ngannou follow?
Ngannou’s training includes high-intensity workouts like sparring, pad work, resistance exercises, and cardio to build strength and endurance. Before fights, he reduces intensity to allow full recovery and peak performance during matches.
