Francis Ngannou is the former UFC Heavyweight Champion and he recently opened up about a pivotal moment in his career during an episode
Francis Ngannou is the former UFC Heavyweight Champion and he recently opened up about a pivotal moment in his career during an episode of the “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson” podcast. Ngannou shared his thoughts on his loss to Stipe Miocic at UFC 220 and how that defeat turned out to be the “best fight” of his career in terms of personal growth and learning.
The Cameroonian-born fighter entered the UFC with an impressive record and quickly gained attention with his knockout power. However, his undefeated streak came to an end when he faced Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title at UFC 220. Despite the unanimous decision loss, Ngannou considers this fight to be a turning point in his MMA journey.
Ngannou revealed that his mentality shifted when he received a UFC contract. He realized that he needed to fully commit to the sport and leave no room for half-hearted efforts. He acknowledged that until the Miocic fight everything seemed relatively easy for him. He had been knocking out opponents without much difficulty but this fight exposed the gaps in his preparation and mindset.
Describing the Miocic fight as his “first real fight,” Ngannou explained that the loss forced him to reevaluate his approach to MMA. He mentioned that it was during this fight that he experienced the challenges of being in deep waters desperately seeking oxygen to breathe. Ngannou admitted that he hadn’t properly prepared for the fight and everything around it was wrong.
However, it was the outcome of this fight that led Ngannou to a crucial realization. He understood that the loss was a result of inadequate preparation and a lack of experience in high-pressure situations. This revelation became the catalyst for his growth as a fighter.
Ngannou emphasized that the Miocic fight remains the “best fight” of his career not because of the outcome. But because of the valuable lessons he learned from it. The loss taught him the importance of proper training, mental resilience, and adapting to various fight scenarios. He also learned to embrace adversity and use it as motivation to improve.
Interestingly, Ngannou’s journey continued even after his six-fight winning streak led him to the end of his UFC contract. Despite his success, negotiations with the UFC for a new deal fell through and Ngannou left the promotion in January 2022. This marked another chapter in his career as he explored new opportunities outside the UFC.
For more UFC news and updates
Read: UFC Fight Night 224 results: Tom Aspinall’s stunning TKO victory
Read: UFC Fight Night 224: Preview, Prediction, Where to Watch, Venue, and Tickets
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