“People Easily Give up”- Francis Ngannou Shares How He Has Been Trying to Inspire Africa

Published 11/25/2020, 4:55 AM EST

UFC Heavyweight star Francis Ngannou has a true rags to riches story. Now the #1 contender for Stipe Miocic’s heavyweight title, ‘The Predator’ has risen from poverty and homelessness. The hardship Ngannou has faced, has made him a better person, and he is always looking to give back.

Having overcome adversity, Ngannou was signed by the UFC in 2015 with a record of 5-1. Now, just five years later, he is one of the biggest stars in the promotion.

Ngannou sat down with Morning Kombat’s Brian Campbell to discuss a variety of topics. Amongst these were his charity foundation, which is working with MMA Africa on helping the youth.

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Francis Ngannou Foundation in Africa

The fighter labeled it a personal project. He revealed that it was something he is happy to do and reminds him that he is capable of helping others. This is his way of giving back to society as a few years ago he was the one that needed help. The #1 contender has not had an easy life by any means, but now he looks to provide those with opportunities always wished for.

Ngannou said, “It makes me feel accomplished to be able to give to someone what I wanted someone to give me a few years ago. It’s something very different for me and I enjoy it, but also I would like to see kids there believe more in themselves. It’s like a sort of personal development to allow them to believe in themselves.”

#ThrowbackThursday – I may be top ufc heavyweight, but when I go home to my village, every time I always stop to the sandmine to work with my friends like when we grew up. Today, it's enjoyable and fun to do, but as a kid forced to do it, it was a stone on my throat .. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Qh9OdX39MX
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 25, 2020

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Ngannou grew up in the small town of Batie in Cameroon, West Africa. ‘The Predator’ worked shoveling sand at a mine since he was a child which he also attributes to his immense physical strength. He moved out of his hometown in search of better opportunities. However, his next words served as an inspiration to one and all.

“The problem in the small villages there is that people easily give up. They acknowledge it’s tough or difficult and then they give up. Yes, it’s difficult but not impossible, and this is the main idea that we want to preach to the kids, that it’s always possible. As long as you can stand up, no matter how much you fall, you’re still in the race.”

Francis Ngannou will now look to face Stipe Miocic for the second time for the heavyweight title. While he may have lost the first fight, he has already learned from a young age to believe in himself and never give up. This could prove decisive when he does fight for the belt.

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Read: Francis Ngannou Frustrated With Wasting His Prime Years Without Fighting

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Written by:

Keith D'Souza is part of the Essentially Sports MMA writing team. Having followed the sport since 2013, some of his favorite fighters include Max Holloway, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, and Johny Hendricks. Keith also runs PureMMAIndia, a brand that promotes MMA over social media which aims at growing the sport in India.

“People Easily Give up”- Francis Ngannou Shares How He Has Been Trying to Inspire Africa

Francis Ngannou Foundation in Africa

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