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“Take His Punk A** Down” – Here’s What Francis Ngannou’s Coach Told Him Between the Rounds at UFC 270

Published 01/24/2022, 10:05 AM EST

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Francis Ngannou versus Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 was a spectacular fight. Ngannou’s wrestling skills shocked the world. Further, the history with Ciryl Gane and ex-coach Fernand Lopez made it even more interesting. While the champion may have bad blood with his ex-coach, his current coaches believe in his abilities.

Just before the champion went in for his fifth round against Gane, coach Eric Nicksick and Dewey Cooper had a few things to tell Ngannou. While Cooper gave technical instructions on how to win against Gane, Nicksick had an emotional moment with the fighter.

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Dewey Cooper said, “Head movement, straight punches, take his punk a** down”.

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After Cooper, Nicksick said, “I believe in you motherf*****. Okay. We’ve been through so much sh*t together. This is you. Do you understand me? This is you kid. Let’s go. Pull it off.”

Having different approaches, both the coaches were successful in motivating Ngannou. The heavyweight champion’s wrestling took the audience by surprise. So it is clear that his team left no stone unturned to train Ngannou. As a result, he was successful in defending his title for the first time.

Many noticed that now 17-3-0 MMA record holder wore knee pads during his UFC 270 bout. But it was only later on that he revealed the extent of his knee injuries. In fact, he was about to pull out because of it. According to ‘The Predator’, his MCL, MPFL, and ACL were torn and damaged.

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However, despite such injuries, he was able to perform well. Plus, the motivation he received from his coaches must have surely helped.

What’s next for Francis Ngannou after UFC 270?

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Ngannou’s future in the UFC is uncertain. He had openly stated that he is unwilling to compete further under the same contract. However, after defending his belt, it would be interesting to see whether the promotion lets him go away or they are able to come to a point of mutual understanding.

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If Ngannou somehow stays in the UFC, a fight against Jon Jones would be intriguing.

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However, even Dana White isn’t sure when Jones will return. Further, a fight against Stipe Miocic would be a tough one. What do you think about Francis Ngannou’s coaches motivating him between rounds? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Rohini Kottu

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Rohini Kottu is a UFC Writer at EssentiallySports. She is also a Psychologist and has a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. Rohini, in her role as a UFC writer, combines her admiration for the mental resilience that MMA fighters have and her love for analysis.
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