Francis Ngannou, known as “The Predator,” has earned a fearsome reputation as one of the scariest fighters to ever step into a mixed martial arts cage.
However, according to PFL heavyweight Denis Goltsov, Ngannou’s imposing presence extends far beyond fight night and into the gym, where his sparring sessions have raised eyebrows.
Speaking to Russian outlet Ushatayka, Goltsov discussed his time training alongside Ngannou at Extreme Couture during the COVID-19 pandemic. The former UFC heavyweight champion, now signed with the PFL, is known for his devastating knockout power, which Goltsov claims he doesn’t hold back—even in sparring.
“I worked with him, I basically understand what his strengths are,” Goltsov said in the interview. “I understand how he feels the distance, how he works at a distance. Therefore, in principle, naturally, it would be a cool fight. I would really like [to fight him], any heavyweight in the season definitely wants to [fight him].”
Goltsov then shared some candid experiences from their training sessions, shedding light on Ngannou’s approach in the gym. “He kind of works [tough], yes. He doesn’t know how to work. Let’s just say, he works the same regardless of the weight category, even if it’s a women’s category,” Goltsov remarked, hinting at Ngannou’s intensity.
The PFL heavyweight revealed that Ngannou’s aggressive style often discourages other fighters from sparring directly with him. Goltsov even provided examples of Ngannou’s recklessness, stating that the Cameroonian would lash out at sparring partners when they gained the upper hand.
“When there is training or sparring there, [during] the fight, people are on the ground fighting with him. [If] a triangle is fastened on him [and] he understands that there is no way out of there, he begins to simply beat the person,” Goltsov alleged. “Well, I think that this says a lot about the person, about his personal qualities.”
Goltsov also recounted a more personal challenge when working with Ngannou while recovering from a nose injury. “I asked him to work more carefully. He said with the nose, well, it’s not as if it’s not visible. Yes, I realized that it wouldn’t be easy to build a relationship with him,” he said.
Despite their gym experiences, Goltsov holds no animosity toward Ngannou and is eager to meet him in the SmartCage in the future. “Naturally, it would be a cool fight,” he reiterated.
Ngannou has yet to respond to the claims, and it remains to be seen how these comments may affect his reputation as he transitions into his next chapter with PFL after a dominant career in the UFC.
