dailystar.co.uk
20.01.2022 / 12:55
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Francis Ngannou is ice cool outside the octagon - but UFC 270 has him more than fired up
UFC 270.Having said that, there is one name that ignites visible fury behind his eyes - and it isn't that of upcoming opponent, and interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane.Born in Batie, Cameroon back in September of 1985, Ngannou grew up with his aunt after the divorce of his parents and began working in a sand quarry at the tender age of 10.Refusing the advances of gangs and choosing wisely to pursue boxing, it wasn't until after his 26th birthday that he travelled to France in a bid to make his passion a career.Having been jailed in Spain for illegally crossing the border, Ngannou was later introduced to Fernand Lopez by a mutual friend after living homeless on the streets of the French capital.With Mike Tyson as he idol, Ngannou wanted to train as a boxer, but the influence of Lopez saw him take a path in mixed martial arts that would see him become the most feared heavyweight on the planet.Beginning his career in November of 2013, Ngannou won five of his first six bouts to catch the eye of UFC chiefs, winning by second round knockout against fellow newcomer Luis Henrique in a taster of things to come.Curtis Blaydes, Bojan Mihajlovic, Anthony Hamilton, Andrei Arlovski and Alistair Overeem all subsequently fell at his hand before they could make the distance, with his first attempt at the belt following in 2018.Who will wear the belt after UFC 270? Give us your thoughts in the comments sectionFor only the second time in his career the fight would go the distance - with the same outcome as the first.Stipe Miocic's unanimous victory was followed by a damaging loss against Derrick Lewis which would spell the end of the once fruitful partnership between the heavyweight and his long-term coach Lopez.Having left MMA
