Francis Ngannou Breaks Down Sharing Heartbreaking Story: “I Don’t Know How To Deal With This!”

Francis Ngannou is a martial artist, professional boxer, and Lineal Combat Sports Heavyweight World Champion. He became UFC Heavyweight Champion in 2021 and holds an MMA record of 17 wins and 12 victories by knockout.

 00:00 Intro
02:13 My Childhood: Surviving on Less Than $1000 a Year
06:17 Overcoming Struggles in Rural Cameroon
12:52 My Dream of Becoming a Professional Boxer
14:39 Choosing a Different Path Than My Father
17:07 Growing Up with a Violent Father
17:51 Coping with My Father's Death at 15
19:37 Wishing for One More Day with My Dad
24:02 The Struggles Of Chasing My Boxing Dream
25:10 The INSANE Journey to Reach Europe
28:21 How We Survived the Sahara Desert!
32:27 The Hardest Part of My Journey
34:39 Waiting to Cross the Border
36:33 Two Ways Out: Swimming the Ocean or Climbing the Barbed Wire Fence
41:55 Six Attempts to Cross the Sea in a Dinghy
48:42 Months of Survival in the Forest
50:36 Evading Police Radars
58:06 Calling the Red Cross for Help
01:02:40 Two Months in a Detention Center
01:04:47 Surviving on 50 Euros
01:07:29 My Coach's Support: A Place to Stay and Guidance
01:09:55 My First Experience with MMA
01:10:52 Facing Rejection: No One Wanted to Fight Me in Paris
01:12:20 How I Made It to the UFC
01:14:00 My First Fight in America
01:15:44 Winning the UFC Heavyweight Title
01:20:50 The Conversation with Dana White
01:24:11 How the Contract Took My Freedom
01:27:24 The UFC Contract and Its Clauses
01:29:20 Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou
01:32:21 My Future Goals in Fighting
01:34:33 Ads
01:35:31 The Truth Behind the Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou Fight
01:42:57 Coping with the Death of My Baby Son
01:47:09 Going Through Grief
01:52:17 Returning to Cameroon
01:58:45 The Last Guest Question

Follow Francis: 

Follow me:

Sponsor:

[TheDiaryOfACEO]

The DOAC subscriber raffle is staying open until we hit 7 million subscribers where we will announce money can't buy prizes... If you're subscribed to the channel you're in the raffle, we will be picking subscribers at random 🎉Good luck!

[baddi]

His story needs to be a movie. Such a inspiration.

[NickyVerd]

As a fellow Cameroonian, i'm so PROUD of him. He is our National Hero.
He reminds me of this quote by Khalil Gibran
"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars."

[KeyforChange]

This looks like one of the most profound interviews Steve has done. This interview was therapy 😢

[simonewalker]

Francis is an absolute philosopher. Each answer is so deep, thoughtful and reflective. He questions the question before answering providing a refreshing perspective. One of the best interviews 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[AcademyOmen]

When your Dream is so Big, it's hard to give up 🇨🇲

With love from Cameroon!

[annthomas]

After hearing his story, we’ll never have a reason to complain about anything. Wow, indescribably amazing.

[KeyforChange]

I had a 2 and half journey back from Wales and when this video popped up. I knew it would be gold. Tears all the way down the M4 and when he gets to the part about his son 😢😢😢 What a tragedy, even after he asks Steve to move on, Francis comes back to the loss of his son. He explains how he uses the loss of his son as inspiration and motivation to fight on. Heart wrenches and turning into his emotions is so difficult. Feels like hes going to fight on, its all his done all his life. I cant help but think about his sentiments of The Perfect Table. Such grief and the notion of therapy... he doesnt see the point. But this interview and Steves style gave him the space. What an interview. What a story. By the time I got to Oxford. I had to wipe my eyes. Fighting is all he knows. Pushing thru is all he knows. Prays go up for him and his family. Thank you to all the team.❤

[chriswalker]

My heart breaks for this man. Losing his son after everything he went through. Rest in love little man ❤️ I will never get tired of hearing Francis's story. It needs to be a movie/autobiography one day

[mesi]

"Life changing money is not an amount" 10 million dollars for one man is just another day, and 1 thousand dollars for another man could change his life.... I like his prospective on things.

[TheAlkebulanTrust]

Good to see Francis Ngannou on The Diary of a CEO. He has such an inspirational story.

[njiasonganyi]

Easily the most elaborate Ngannou interview ever. Coming from Cameroon, you hear a lot of stories about his life, but never this concise and elaborate. Kudos to Steven and the team for putting this masterpiece together. Very good interview. Ngannou to the world 🌎 🇨🇲🥇

[RyanPatrick-ibuv]

*Your explanations are clear and straight forward It's always a honor to have you here as a mentor, I appreciate you for the time being spent to educate us financially. Regardless of how bad it gets the economy, I still makeover $28K every single week. I truly value Laura, and her helpful guides.*

[matty]

Ngannou is a great role model for people to look up to the way he conducts and expresses himself

[JDubzDrumz]

There's physical strength, mental strength, moral strength.... Francis has it all. The UFC'S crown should still rest upon that head, but who am I to say that. "Heavy is the head that wears the crown." What a absolutely incredible human. 🙏🏽

[walterramalata]

The feeling of not able to help his son took the smile away... I wish you peace my Brother

[gailleascullion]

Francis Ngannou has privileged us with the most poignant, deep, honest conversation I have ever listened to.
This is the best example of a strong, open, honest, authentic man and the world would be a better place if more men like him existed.
This interview has touched me deeply and I am grateful for it.
This is movie material and his wisdom could touch a lot of people.
Thank you Francis Ngannou, you have touched me deeply.

[Seanus]

One of the most genuine and heart-driven individuals on the planet. Nothing but respect for him!

[strongstyle]

This man scratched, clawed and fought his entire life and is a true inspiration to people worldwide.

[sandranwokocha]

His story is just soo moving!! When your dream is soo BIG it’s hard to GIVE UP! This is amazing ❤🙏🏽🙏🏽