MMA Factory explained
MMA Factory is a mixed martial arts gym based in Paris, France. It is considered the largest MMA gym in France,[1] and is notable for producing former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Francis Ngannou and former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion, Ciryl Gane.
Overview
In 2013, Fernand Lopez and his business partner, a police officer, opened CrossFight in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. Soon after, he renamed the gym 'MMA Factory.' The gym started with only two fighters but rapidly expanded to have over 600 students and 18 staff members as of 2018.[2]
MMA Factory was sponsored by Reebok France.
The most notable fighter produced by MMA Factory is Francis Ngannou who would become UFC Heavyweight Champion in 2021. When Ngannou was 26, he moved from Cameroon to France in order pursue his dream of becoming a professional boxer.[3] [4] Francis Carmont met Ngannou and then introduced him to Lopez and the MMA factory.[5] Lopez saw the potential of Ngannou and convinced him to try MMA even though Ngannou originally wanted to do boxing. Lopez gave Ngannou some MMA gear and allowed him to train and sleep at the gym for no cost thus starting his MMA career.[6] However the relationship between Lopez and Ngannou has deteriorated in recent years with Lopez citing that Ngannou has ego problems and had refused to pay gym membership fees after he had achieved success.[7] [8] [9] As a result, Ngannou moved to the United States to train at Xtreme Couture.[10] [11]
MMA factory has also produced Ciryl Gane. Gane won the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship after defeating Derrick Lewis on 7 August 2021, at UFC 265.[12]
Gane faced Francis Ngannou for the UFC Heavyweight Championship on 22 January 2022, at UFC 270.[13] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Notable people
Mixed martial artists
UFC
Others
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: 5 December 2017. Fernand Lopez: The Mastermind Behind Francis Ngannou And MMA Factory Paris. 30 March 2021. MMAnytt.com. en-US.
- Web site: Bissell . Tim . Feature: Fernand Lopez and the Factory behind Francis Ngannou . Bloody Elbow . en . 18 January 2018.
- Web site: Dundas. Chad. From Homeless to UFC's Next Big Thing: Francis Ngannou's Amazing Journey. Bleacher Report. en.
- Web site: 29 March 2021. MMA: le parcours hors-norme de Francis NGannou, nouveau champion du monde des poids lourds. 31 March 2021. France Bleu. fr.
- Web site: Coleman. Joe. 28 March 2021. New UFC champ Ngannou slept rough on way to top, loved Mike Tyson and packs a punch. 31 March 2021. talkSPORT. en-US.
- Web site: Lesage. Julien. 28 March 2021. Francis Ngannou, ex-SDF et champion du monde de MMA: "Il sait ce qu'il a enduré pour y parvenir". 31 March 2021. leparisien.fr. fr-FR.
- Web site: 13 October 2020. "I Feel Like You Have an Ego Problem" - Francis Ngannou's Coach Drops Insider Details. 30 March 2021. EssentiallySports. en-US.
- Web site: Lynch. James. 11 February 2021. Fernand Lopez: Traduction de l'interview "Line Movement". 31 March 2021. MMA DEFERLANTE. fr-FR.
- Web site: 11 November 2021. Coach Fernand Lopez Claims Ngannou Refused To Pay Gym Membership. 12 November 2021. MMA News. en-US.
- Web site: 4 March 2021. Coach Fernand Lopez insists that future Ciryl Gane vs. Francis Ngannou fight won't be personal. 30 March 2021. MMA Junkie. en-US.
- Web site: 24 March 2021. Who Are Francis Ngannou's Coaches and Training Partners?. 30 March 2021. EssentiallySports. en-US.
- Web site: Nolan King. 28 June 2021. UFC 265 heads to Houston with Derrick Lewis vs. Ciryl Gane interim heavyweight championship headliner. 28 June 2021. mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
- Web site: 6 October 2021. Ciryl Gane vs. Francis Ngannou pour l'UFC 270 !. 6 October 2021. La Sueur. fr-FR.
- Web site: 7 October 2019. Dragutin Dukić- Trener rvanja Francisa Ngannoua i MMA Factory Paris. 30 March 2021. Triangle TV. sr-RS.
- Web site: UFC, DFNS & Cyril Gane: Fighting for a More Sustainable Future UFC. 30 March 2021. www.ufc.com. 9 December 2020 . en.
- Web site: Rigaud. Robin. UFC Sunrise: Ion Cutelaba s'attaque à une légende !. 30 March 2021. MMAFACTORY. fr-FR.
- Web site: Sherdog.com. Veronica Macedo MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com. 30 March 2021. Sherdog.
- Web site: 12 December 2019. Former UFC fighter Taylor Lapilus has a goal to return to the promotion in 2020. 30 March 2021. MMA Junkie. en-US.
- Web site: archyde. 20 February 2021. MMA: the new French pearl is called Nassourdine Imavov. 30 March 2021. Archyde. en-US.
- Web site: Bitter. Shawn. 8 October 2020. Welcome to the UFC: Alan Baudot. 30 March 2021. Cageside Press. en-US.
- Web site: 21 May 2019. Jérôme Le Banner, un combattant d'exception en quête de nouvelles aventures. 30 March 2021. La Voix du Nord. fr.
- Web site: Sherdog.com. Christian. 30 March 2021. Sherdog.
- Web site: Sherdog.com. Rizlen. 30 March 2021. Sherdog.
- Web site: Calhoun . Curtis . 2023-10-02 . Cédric Doumbé Makes Scathing Allegations Against Former Coach After Statement Win At PFL Europe 3 . 2024-03-02 . MMA News UFC News, Results & Interviews . en-us.