Cameroonian UFC Fighter Francis Ngannou Is Set To Join the 9th 'Fast & Furious' Installment

"The Predator" will be the third UFC fighter to make an appearance in the blockbuster franchise.

Cameroonian UFC Fighter Francis Ngannou Is Set To Join the 9th 'Fast & Furious' Installment
Photo by Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC.

This Cameroonian UFC fighter will be making his first movie appearance in the next installment of Fast & Furious, Deadline reports.

Francis Ngannou will be playing a character that has yet to be announced in the ninth Fast & Furious movie—the third UFC fighter to join the blockbuster franchise. The film is set to be released May 22, 2020.

Known in the ring as "The Predator," he currently ranks second in the heavyweight division, Deadline adds.


The fighter, 32, was born in Batié, Cameroon and chose to pursue boxing in lieu of his father's bad reputation of being a street fighter. After struggling to make ends meet with little formal education, Ngannou made his way to Paris, France to pursue professional boxing. After a stint of homelessness, he met MMA fighter Didier Carmont, who took him off the streets and introduced him to mixed martial arts. Once Carmont helped him get back on his feet, he was introduced to his first trainer,Fernand Lopez.

Ngannou was recently deemed to have the most UFC finishes in the heavyweight division after defeating Junior dos Santos with a 71 second knockout. Previously, he knocked out Cain Velasquez—MMA Legend and former UFC Heavyweight Champion—in 26 seconds at the UFC's inaugural fight on ESPN in Phoenix, Arizona.

Thandiwe Newton in a grey sleeveless dress, wearing red lipstick and crystal earrings, poses against a pink background
Arts + Culture

What's in A Name: How African Names Get Lost in Translation

From NBA stars to Grammy nominees, prominent Africans have often had their names misspelled or mispronounced. While some have pushed back and reclaimed it, others embrace it.

A man stands on a stage, wearing a denim jacket and pants while holding up a hand fan.
News

With “Sade,” Adekunle Gold Challenged The Nigerian Music Industry

As “Sade” turns 10, we take a look at how Adekunle Gold provided an alternative template to being a Nigerian superstar by making music with soul and commercial merits.