Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou begins recovery process after serious knee injury

F. Ngannou in a post-event press conference. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube

Linear heavyweight champion (up to 120,2kg), Francis Ngannou began the recovery process from the serious injury suffered to his right knee. In a post made on his Instagram, the Cameroonian spoke about the beginning of his rehabilitation, emphasized that the 'walk' will be long, but showed confidence in his return to the octagon.

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“First day of rehabilitation to get this knee in order. It’s going to be a long process, but it’s worth it,” wrote the heavyweight champion.

Francis Ngannou suffered a knee injury before the duel for the unification of the belts against Cyryl Gane, in January, and will be away from the Octagon for an indefinite period of time. In addition to the injury, the Cameroonian also has contractual issues to resolve with Ultimate and his stay in the organization is not guaranteed.

Hired by the UFC in 2015, Ngannou had a meteoric rise in the organization and after six consecutive victories, he was placed face to face with the champion Stipe Miocic, in January 2018. Defeated calmly on points, the Cameroonian returned to the gym and just over three years later, he got a new opportunity to challenge for the heavyweight belt. In March 2021, the 'Predator' didn't let the new chance slip away and knocked out Miocic in the second round.

In his first title defense, Ngannou had to face an 'intimate enemy: his former training partner Cyryl Gane. In the long-awaited duel, in the UFC 270, which took place in January, the Cameroonian showed a new facet as a wrestler and in an incredible turnaround, emerged victorious in the judges' unanimous decision. At the press conference, Francis revealed that he had suffered a serious injury to his right knee, which almost took him out of the fight.

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A post shared by Francis Ngannou (@francisngannou)