To many fans, Francis Ngannou appears to have pulled off an impressive feat that could potentially put to shame his former promotion, the UFC, its president, Dana White, and current heavyweight champion, Jon Jones. It’s been three years since Ngannou parted ways with the UFC. During his time as the heavyweight champion, the idea of a showdown with Jones was frequently discussed but never came to fruition.
So in the latest instance, Ngannou took part in an activity where some of the UFC’s most notable names, including Jones, struggled. Needless to say, as he sailed through the activity with ease, many fans couldn’t help but share their thoughts online. After his second consecutive boxing loss in March last year, Ngannou made his return to MMA under the PFL banner. He defeated Renan Ferreira to claim the inaugural heavyweight championship.
Seamlessly and without effort
On Instagram, Jaxxonpodcast shared a post that simply read, “Insane.” The post featured Francis Ngannou and UFC fighters Khalil Rountree Jr., Alex Pereira, Tom Aspinwall, and Jon Jones trying their hand at the grip strength challenge.
Aspinall went first, with the digital dynamometer reading 140.8 pounds. Next came Alex Pereira. ‘The Poatan’ performed better. He managed to reach 159.2 pounds. Rountree Jr.’s grip strength was evident, as he registered 166.2 pounds.
Jon Jones, the current UFC heavyweight champion, used his left hand to pull 132.8 pounds. Then it was Ngannou’s turn. Casually squeezing the dynamometer, ‘The Predator’ barely showed any strain on his face as it registered an impressive 177 pounds. Onlookers were amazed, with some speculating that he might have set a record.
Let’s take a look at how some fans reacted to this spectacle.
Francis Ngannou, the unstoppable force of nature
This fan couldn’t help but laugh and say, “Francis didn’t look like he tried . Judging by the dynamometer readings, it seemed true. Ngannou effortlessly proved to be stronger than the UFC fighters, yet didn’t even appear to be exerting much effort. But does this grip strength translate to his performance in the cage?
Another fan pointed out the likely reason behind Ngannou’s extraordinary power. “Francis, a sand worker His strength is another level,” they said. For the unversed, before entering professional fighting, Ngannou reportedly worked in sand mining in Cameroon, lifting heavy loads as part of his daily job.
LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 26: Francis Ngannou at the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou open workout on September 26, 2023, at Ngannous private gym in Las Vegas, NV. Photo by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire BOXING: SEP 26 Francis Ngannou Workout EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2309262635
A third fan expressed a familiar sentiment. “Francis probably wasn’t even trying to,” they said. Indeed, Ngannou’s physical strength seems so exceptional that he could have easily dominated the challenge without giving it his all. It’s worth remembering that he previously earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the hardest punch, a record that was recently surpassed by Pereira.
Ngannou’s relaxed attitude caught the attention of another fan, who remarked, “The way Francis walks away, like I know.” This calm demeanor is consistent with Ngannou’s persona, whether at pre-fight events or inside the ring or cage. Despite his calm appearance, he’s a fierce and calculated competitor.
One fan made a humorous observation: “The best wrestler of all 5 has the least grip strength.” Clearly referring to Jon Jones, this fan pointed out that, despite Jones’ reputation as one of the greatest grapplers of all time, his grip strength was notably weaker than Ngannou’s. While wrestling relies heavily on technique, this comment raised the question of how strength factors into a fighter’s overall performance.
While grip strength isn’t a perfect measure of a fighter’s overall strength, it certainly adds to the mystique of Ngannou’s physical prowess.
His ability to overwhelm opponents inside the octagon is undeniable, and it might take some time before another combat sports athlete can genuinely match his raw power. Given that Ngannou seemingly gave Dana White and his UFC fighters a run for their money with minimal effort, fans who were dissatisfied with the way his UFC journey ended may now feel vindicated.
Do you think Jon Jones could beat Francis Ngannou in the cage under the current circumstances?
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