Francis Ngannou Announces Plans to Take Some Time Off Following UFC 220 Defeat

In just two years, Francis Ngannou nearly got all the way to the top of the UFC’s heavyweight division. Now he wants to take a break.

The Cameroonian-born Frenchman announced via social media that he will be taking some time off following his loss to Stipe Miocic their heavyweight title bout at UFC 220. He did not specify how long he plans to be away, however.

“I’m taking some time off which will benefit my personal life by going back home to see family and friends,” Ngannou wrote. “Then I’ll be back to set things up.”

Ngannou began his UFC tenure with six consecutive victories, all coming inside two rounds. His spectacular first-round knockout of former title challenger Alistair Overeem at UFC 218 solidified his No. 1 contender status and set up his meeting with Miocic last weekend in Boston. The 31-year-old hunted for the knockout in round one but fatigued badly down the stretch, as Miocic earned a trio of 50-44 scorecards in a clear-cut victory.

I'm taking some time off which will benefit my personal life by going back home to see family and friends then I'll be back to set things up #relax

A post shared by Francis Ngannou (@francisngannou) on Jan 25, 2018 at 11:26am PST