WATCH: Dana White and Francis Ngannou Impressed With Skills Displayed by Young Fighter

Dana White recently took to Twitter to share a video of a young boxer training. It is not unusual for people seeking a career in combat sports to start young. However, it is a little unusual to see a child as young as the one in the video to be so extraordinary.

The Coronavirus pandemic has brought everything to an abrupt halt. Many athletes have taken this opportunity to kick back and relax with their families. However, this little boxer is not one of them.

Training like his life depends on it, the young fighter moves with such speed and grace. Something that many fighting at the highest of platforms still lack.

The boxer managed to impress White so much that he talks about opening a UFC Performance Institute in Africa. With the goal of scouting the future stars of the combat sports industry.

“I gotta build a @UFCPI in Africa”- Dana White

Francis Ngannou Agrees With Dana White

A number of people from the sporting circuit agree with Dana White and took to social media to express their pleasure regarding the same.

For instance, the likes of American football coach Phil McGeoghan, American Top Team fighter Charles Rosa and more.

However, the most important one being Francis Ngannou. The living embodiment of the kind of talent that can be cultivated from African nations. Therefore, the Cameroonian heavyweight feels, “Africa is the next home for combat sports.”

The Predator might be onto something, considering the number of fighting styles that have come out of the African continent.

For instance, African nations like Nigeria and Senegal have given us some of the most well-known fighting styles, like Dambe and La Lutte, respectively.

Dambe, an ancient sport in which broken jaws or ribs are how one recognizes the victor. A traditional sport associated with Hausa people, who happen to be one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa.

Fighters bind their stronger arm with rope, Kara. For making their arm as hard as possible. Because it is their primary weapon. Their other arm remains bare and is used as a shield. Dambe is a sport where one looks to “kill” their opponent, by knocking them to the floor.

La Lutte, on the other hand, is drenched in mysticism and ancient tradition. A unique style of fighting that has become a national obsession.

Wrestling or La Lutte is popular all over Western Africa. However, to the Senegalese, it is something that transcends sport. Bare-chested men clad in loincloths grapple on beaches and stadiums in front of thousands of fans. Fights are the talk of school grounds, offices, social gathering and more.

Organizations like the UFC call pull them out of poverty and improve their quality of life.