Francis Ngannou longs for UFC Africa event, thinks Nigeria would likely host

Francis Ngannou has played a major role in putting Africa on the UFC map both in and out of the octagon.

The Cameroonian-born heavyweight contender has created his own non-profit organization, the “Francis Ngannou Foundation,” providing children in Batie, Cameroon, a gym and facilities to help them achieve their dreams.

The African talent is evident in the UFC, with two current champions in welterweight Kamaru Usman and middleweight Israel Adesanya. That’s why Ngannou thinks Nigeria would likely be the first country to play host to a UFC Africa event.

“From now, I don’t know when will be the event,” Ngannou told MMA Junkie. “I think it will be in either Nigeria or Cameroon. But for now I’d say Nigeria, because Nigeria has two UFC champions.

“I think if they’re about to go to Africa, they should honor those fighters and which is mainly, as I said, two champions from Nigeria, which is a lot. From seven fighters, two champions are from Nigeria.”

Ngannou recently located a young Nigerian boy by the name of Adeyemo Abdul Somod Ayomide, a boxing sensation that he plans on helping out.

And UFC president Dana White has taken notice of Ngannou’s continued support, even suggesting that the UFC build a Performance Insititute in Africa, which would be groundbreaking for the continent.

“That was great, as he posted that and said that,” Ngannou said. “Now, let’s see what happens. Let’s see how it goes with that. It will be awesome. I mean, that’s what we’ve been fighting for – the UFC to really put Africa on the map. To consider the fact that Africa is part of the UFC too.”