Francis Ngannou has always claimed that he wants to give back to Cameroon and Africa after leaving them to pursue his fighting dreams. Returning to his homeland in mid-August to work on developing mixed martial arts (MMA) in Cameroon through the Professional Fighters League (PFL), Ngannou has sparked controversies about his true motivations.
Developing MMA in Cameroon
Francis Ngannou has come a long way from his hometown of Bati in Cameroon to the biggest stages of boxing and MMA worldwide. His heart has remained in Africa, where he regularly returns to visit the football club in his hometown that gave him a second chance at life through his foundation, or to check on the MMA gym he established there.
Collaboration with the PFL and Revenge Against the UFC
Ngannou’s contract with the PFL and his frequent trips to Saudi Arabia have raised doubts about his intentions. Although he claims to be working on developing MMA in Africa, there seem to be other dimensions to his actions. The deep disagreements between him and the UFC after his departure could be a key motivation behind his engagement with the PFL and his collaborations with other entities outside the UFC.
Lack of Cooperation with African Initiatives
If Ngannou’s intentions were sincere about developing MMA in Africa, one would expect him to collaborate with existing projects such as the Moroccan-African project presented by journalist and expert in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, Jamal El Soussi, general manager of the Moroccan African Fighting Championships (MAFC). This project aims to discover and develop talents in Africa. However, Ngannou has preferred to focus on his own initiatives, raising questions about his true motivations.
Analysis and Impact
It seems that Ngannou is using his position and influence as a means of revenge against the UFC rather than fully focusing on developing MMA in Africa. This behavior could affect his perception and evaluation by the public and domain experts.
Conclusion
Ngannou’s role in developing MMA in Africa remains in question. Despite his contributions, his background and intentions may tarnish his image as an inspiring symbol. Cooperating with local initiatives could strengthen his position and prove the sincerity of his intentions, paving the way for a better future for MMA in Africa.
