| Full name | Francis Zavier Ngannou |
| Net worth | $5 million |
| Nationality | Cameroonian-French |
| DOB | September 5, 1986 |
| Birth place | Batié, Cameroon |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 257 lb (117 kg) |
| Reach | 83 in (211 cm) |
| UFC record | 17-3-0 |
| Spouse/Girlfriend | Unknown |
| Children | None |
Francis Ngannou is one of the most dominant and popular MMA fighters in the world.
He is the former UFC Heavyweight Champion and the first African-born fighter to hold that title. He is also known for his incredible knockout power and his inspiring life story.
But how much is Francis Ngannou worth in 2023? And how did he become a successful MMA fighter? What are his plans for the future and who are his potential opponents? What are his philanthropic work and his MMA gym in Cameroon? And what are his interest in boxing and fighting Jon Jones?
In this article, we will answer all these questions and more. We will look at Francis Ngannou net worth, biography, career, earnings, endorsements, and net worth growth.
By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of Francis Ngannou’s story and net worth. You will also learn some lessons from his journey and success.
Early Life and Biography of Francis Ngannou
Francis Ngannou was born on September 5, 1986, in Batié, a small village in Cameroon.
He grew up in poverty and faced many challenges in his childhood.
He had to work in a sand quarry at the age of 10 to help his family. He also had to drop out of school at the age of 12 due to lack of money.
Ngannou had a dream of becoming a boxer since he was a kid. He was inspired by Mike Tyson and wanted to follow his footsteps.
However, he had no access to any boxing training or equipment in his village. He also faced resistance from his family who wanted him to pursue a more stable career.
Ngannou decided to leave Cameroon at the age of 22 and move to France to pursue his boxing dream. He faced many hardships and dangers along the way.
He had to cross the Sahara desert by foot and spent two months in jail in Spain for illegally crossing the border. He finally arrived in Paris in 2013 with no money, no friends, and no place to stay.
He was homeless for a while and slept on the streets.
Ngannou’s luck changed when he met Fernand Lopez, a former MMA fighter and coach who owned an MMA gym called MMA Factory.
Lopez saw Ngannou’s potential and offered him free training and accommodation. He also became Ngannou’s mentor and manager and helped him develop his skills and confidence.
Ngannou started training in MMA at the age of 26, which is considered late for most fighters.
However, he had a natural talent and athleticism that made him a quick learner. He also had a strong work ethic and determination that helped him overcome his lack of experience.
Ngannou made his professional mixed martial arts debut in November 2013, just six months after he started training.
He won his first fight by knockout in the second round. He continued to win his next five fights by knockout or submission, all within the first round.
He caught the attention of the UFC scouts who offered him a contract in 2015.
Career Highlights and Achievements
Francis Ngannou made his UFC debut in December 2015 against Luis Henrique. He won the fight by knockout in the second round with a devastating uppercut.
He earned his first Performance of the Night bonus for his impressive performance.
Ngannou continued to dominate his opponents in his next three fights.
He knocked out Curtis Blaydes, Bojan Mihajlovic, and Anthony Hamilton, all within the first round. He earned another Performance of the Night bonus for his submission win over Hamilton.
Ngannou’s biggest breakthrough came in December 2017 when he faced Alistair Overeem, a former Strikeforce and K-1 champion who was ranked number one in the heavyweight division at that time.
Ngannou knocked out Overeem with a vicious left hook that sent him flying across the octagon. The knockout was so powerful that it broke the record for the most powerful punch in UFC history.
Ngannou earned another Performance of the Night bonus and became the number one contender for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
Ngannou faced Stipe Miocic for the title in January 2018 at UFC 220. However, he lost the fight by unanimous decision after five rounds.
Miocic used his superior wrestling and cardio to neutralize Ngannou’s striking and power. Ngannou admitted that he underestimated Miocic and overestimated himself.
He also said that he learned a lot from the loss and vowed to come back stronger.
Ngannou suffered another setback in his next fight against Derrick Lewis in July 2018 at UFC 226. He lost the fight by unanimous decision after three rounds of inaction and hesitation.
Ngannou later revealed that he was suffering from fear and anxiety after his loss to Miocic. He said that he lost his confidence and his love for the sport.
Ngannou bounced back from his losses and regained his momentum in his next four fights.
He knocked out Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, and Jairzinho Rozenstruik, all within the first round.
He earned two more Performance of the Night bonuses for his wins over Velasquez and Rozenstruik. He also became the number one contender for the UFC Heavyweight Championship again.
Ngannou faced Stipe Miocic for the second time for the title in March 2021 at UFC 260. This time, he won the fight by knockout in the second round with a left hook and a hammer fist.
He became the new UFC Heavyweight Champion and the first African-born fighter to hold that title. He also earned another Performance of the Night bonus and received praise from many MMA legends and celebrities.
Ngannou defended his title against Ciryl Gane, his former teammate and rival, in January 2022 at UFC 270. He won the fight by knockout in the third round with a right uppercut and a left hook.
He unified the UFC Heavyweight Championship and silenced his critics who doubted his skills and improvement.
He also earned another Performance of the Night bonus and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
Ngannou shocked the MMA world when he announced that he was leaving the UFC in March 2022.
He cited contract dispute, pay-per-view points, and lack of respect from Dana White as the reasons behind his decision.
He also said that he wanted to explore other opportunities and challenges in his career.
Ngannou became one of the most popular and sought-after MMA professionals in the world after leaving the UFC.
He received offers from many other MMA promotions, such as Bellator, ONE Championship, PFL, and Rizin.
He finally signed a multi-fight deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in May 2023, as he is still interested in boxing and fighting Tyson Fury, the WBC heavyweight champion.
He also said that he still wants to fight Jon Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight champion who has moved up to heavyweight.
ALSO READ: Examining Jon Jones Net Worth 2023: The Ultimate Guide
Net Worth Growth and Earnings
Francis Ngannou’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million as of 2023.
His main source of income is his MMA career, where he earns money from his fights, bonuses, endorsements, and sponsorships.
Ngannou’s earnings per fight vary depending on his contract, opponent, and event.
According to some reports, he earned $500,000 for his first fight against Miocic, $100,000 for his fight against Lewis, $530,000 for his second fight against Miocic, and $600,000 for his fight against Gane.
Ngannou also earns money from his Performance of the Night bonuses, which are $50,000 each. He has won seven of them in his UFC career, totaling $350,000.
Ngannou also earns money from his PPV share, which is a percentage of the revenue generated by the pay-per-view sales of his fights.
The exact amount is not disclosed, but it is estimated to be between 2% to 5%.
For example, if his fight sells 1 million pay-per-views at $70 each, he could earn between $1.4 million to $3.5 million from his pay-per-view share.
Francis Ngannou Signs Multi-Fight Deal with PFL Worth $30 Million and Takes Leadership Role in PFL Africa
After leaving the UFC in March 2022, Francis Ngannou signed a multi-fight deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in May 2023.
As part of the deal, Ngannou will serve as the head of PFL Africa, promoting the sport across the continent.
While he plans to make his PFL debut in mid-2024, Ngannou has also expressed an interest in boxing matches outside of his PFL contract.
The deal was reportedly valued at $30 million over three years, and Ngannou will also receive equity in PFL and join their broadcast team.
This development is a major turning point in Francis Ngannou’s career and will significantly increase his net worth in the upcoming years.
Endorsements
Francis Ngannou has several endorsement deals and sponsors that help him boost his income and exposure. Some of them are:
Reebok: Ngannou signed a deal with Reebok in 2017 as part of the UFC’s apparel partnership with the brand.
He wore Reebok gear and apparel in his fights and promotions. He also received a royalty fee from Reebok based on his rankings and popularity.
The deal ended in 2021 when the UFC switched to Venom as its new apparel partner.
Monster Energy: Ngannou signed a deal with Monster Energy in 2018 as one of its sponsored athletes.
He wore Monster Energy logo on his shorts and drank Monster Energy drinks in his fights and promotions. He also appeared in Monster Energy commercials and events.
He received a fixed fee from Monster Energy for each fight and promotion.
BodyArmor: Ngannou signed a deal with BodyArmor in 2019 as one of its sponsored athletes.
He wore BodyArmor logo on his shorts and drank BodyArmor sports drinks in his fights and promotions. He also appeared in BodyArmor commercials and events.
He received a fixed fee from BodyArmor for each fight and promotion.
Crypto.com: Ngannou signed a deal with Crypto.com in 2021 as one of its brand ambassadors.
He wore Crypto.com logo on his shorts and promoted Crypto.com products and services in his fights and promotions.
He also appeared in Crypto.com commercials and events. He received a fixed fee from Crypto.com for each fight and promotion.
Venom: Ngannou signed a deal with Venom in 2021 as part of the UFC’s new apparel partnership with the brand.
He wore Venom gear and apparel in his fights and promotions. He also received a royalty fee from Venom based on his rankings and popularity.
Everlast: Ngannou signed a deal with Everlast in 2021 as one of its sponsored athletes.
He wore Everlast gloves and equipment in his fights and promotions. He also appeared in Everlast commercials and events.
He received a fixed fee from Everlast for each fight and promotion.
Venum CBD Oil: Ngannou signed a deal with Venum CBD Oil in 2021 as one of its sponsored athletes.
He used Venum CBD Oil products to help him recover from his training and injuries.
He also promoted Venum CBD Oil products and benefits in his fights and promotions. He received a fixed fee from Venum CBD Oil for each fight and promotion.
Paradigm Sports Management: Ngannou signed a deal with Paradigm Sports Management in 2020 as one of its managed athletes. Paradigm Sports Management is a sports agency that represents many MMA fighters, such as Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, Leon Edwards, and others. Paradigm Sports Management helped Ngannou negotiate his contracts, deals, endorsements, sponsorships, and legal matters.
They also helped him manage his finances, taxes, media, marketing, and public relations. They received a percentage of Ngannou’s earnings for their services.
Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang: Ngannou signed a deal with Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang in 2021 as one of its affiliated artists.
Taylor Gang is a music label and entertainment company founded by rapper Wiz Khalifa.
Taylor Gang helped Ngannou produce his own music, videos, merchandise, and events.
They also helped him collaborate with other artists, such as Wiz Khalifa, Ty Dolla Sign, Juicy J, Chevy Woods, and others. They received a percentage of Ngannou’s earnings for their services.
Philanthropic Work and MMA Gym in Cameroon
Francis Ngannou is not only a successful MMA athlete but also a philanthropist who gives back to his community.
He founded the Francis Ngannou Foundation in 2019 to help underprivileged children in Cameroon pursue their dreams through sports and education.
The Francis Ngannou Foundation operates an MMA gym in Batié, Ngannou’s hometown village.
The gym provides free MMA training, equipment, clothing, food, water, and education to the children who join the program.
The gym also hosts tournaments, seminars, workshops, camps, and field trips for the children.
Ngannou funded the gym with his own money and donations from his fans and supporters.
He also donated some of his UFC belts, gloves and shorts to the gym as memorabilia. He visits the gym regularly to train, teach and inspire the children.
Ngannou’s goal is to expand the gym to other villages in Cameroon and Africa.
He wants to create more opportunities for the children to learn MMA, discipline, confidence, and life skills.
He also wants to discover new talents who can become future MMA champions.
Ngannou’s philanthropic work has earned him respect, admiration and recognition from many people.
He has received awards, honors and praises from various organizations, media and celebrities. He has also been featured in documentaries, magazines and podcasts.
Interest in Boxing and Fighting Jon Jones
Francis Ngannou has always been a fan of boxing and has expressed his interest in crossing over to the sport.
He has said that he wants to challenge himself and test his skills against the best boxers in the world.
Ngannou’s main target is Tyson Fury, the WBC heavyweight champion and one of the most popular and charismatic boxers in the world.
Ngannou and the gypsy king have exchanged trash talk and challenges on social media and interviews. They have also shown respect and admiration for each other.
Ngannou and Fury have been rumored to fight each other in 2023, after Ngannou expressed his interest in boxing matches outside of his PFL contract.
The fight would be a huge event that would attract millions of fans and generate millions of dollars. The fight would also be a historic moment for both MMA and boxing.
Ngannou’s other target is Jon Jones, the current UFC heavyweight champion and one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.
Ngannou and Jones have been linked to fight each other for a long time, but the fight never materialized due to various reasons, such as contract dispute, weight class, pay-per-view points and legal issues.
Ngannou and Jones have also exchanged trash talk and challenges on social media and interviews. They have also shown respect and admiration for each other.
Ngannou and Jones have been rumored to fight each other in 2023, after Ngannou left the UFC.
The fight would be a huge event that would attract millions of fans and generate millions of dollars. The fight would also be a legacy fight for both MMA legends.
FAQ
Who is Francis Ngannou?
Francis Ngannou is a Cameroonian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC heavyweight division. He is a former UFC heavyweight champion and is currently one of the top-ranked fighters in the world.
What is Francis Ngannou’s net worth?
Francis Ngannou’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million in 2023. This amount is expected to increase significantly in the coming years as Ngannou continues to compete at the highest level of the MMA.
How did Francis Ngannou make his money?
Francis Ngannou made his money through his successful MMA career, specifically his fights in the UFC. He earns a per-fight fee, as well as bonuses for winning and for “Fight of the Night” performances. He also has endorsement deals with companies like Cryo Pain Relief and CBD Research Labs.
When did Francis Ngannou start his MMA career?
Francis Ngannou started his MMA career at the age of 22. He was living in Paris at the time and was trying to make ends meet by working odd jobs. He discovered MMA through a friend and began training at a local gym.
What was Francis Ngannou’s first UFC fight?
Francis Ngannou made his UFC debut on December 19, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 79. He fought Luis Henrique and won by knockout in the second round.
When did Francis Ngannou become the UFC heavyweight champion?
Francis Ngannou became the UFC heavyweight champion on March 27, 2021, when he defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 260. It was his first title fight in the UFC.
What is Francis Ngannou’s foundation?
Francis Ngannou’s foundation is a non-profit organization that he started to give back to his community in Cameroon. The foundation focuses on providing education, healthcare, and clean water to people in need.
How much has Francis Ngannou earned in his MMA career?
Francis Ngannou’s career earnings are estimated to be around $5 million as of 2023.
Conclusion: Lessons from Francis Ngannou’s Journey
Francis Ngannou is one of the most inspiring and successful MMA fighters in the world.
He has overcome poverty, hardship, and adversity to become a UFC heavyweight titleholder and a millionaire.
He has also given back to his community through his philanthropic work and his MMA gym in Cameroon.
Francis Ngannou’s story and net worth teach us some valuable lessons.
He teaches us to follow our dreams, work hard, overcome challenges, learn from failures, improve ourselves, help others, and enjoy life. He also teaches us to be humble, grateful, respectful, confident, and courageous.
Francis Ngannou is not only a great MMA fighter but also a great human being. He is a role model for many people around the world. He is a legend in the making.
I am an experienced writer and editor with a passion for sport. As the administrator of this website, I have a deep understanding of the sport industry and have written extensively about the topic. With years of experience in writing and editing, i bring a wealth of knowledge to this article on the net worth of athletes.
