Francis Ngannou Allegedly Beats Up His Training Partners

Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou has a reputation as the powerhouse in MMA and it extends far beyond his knockout victories. According to PFL heavyweight Denis Goltsov, Ngannou’s intensity carries over into the gym, where sparring sessions can become unusually fierce. In a recent interview with Russian outlet Ushatayka, Goltsov shared his personal experiences training with Ngannou and revealed stories from others that paint a picture of a heavyweight who doesn’t hold back—even in practice.

Sparring Sessions at Extreme Couture

Goltsov’s interactions with Ngannou occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when both fighters were training at Extreme Couture in Las Vegas. Goltsov described how Ngannou’s approach to sparring was relentless, regardless of who he was training with.

"He kind of works [tough], yes. He doesn't know how to work lightly. Let’s just say, he works the same regardless of the weight category, even if it’s a women’s category," Goltsov said.

This intensity led to several incidents in the gym, with Ngannou reportedly pushing the limits during grappling exchanges.

Francis Ngannou Fighting Out of Submissions

One of the more troubling aspects of Ngannou’s sparring style, according to Goltsov, is his reaction when caught in submissions. Instead of conceding, Ngannou allegedly responds with strikes, creating dangerous situations for his training partners.

"When 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 explained.

These incidents have fueled concerns about Ngannou’s ability to differentiate between practice and competition, with some seeing his actions as reckless rather than disciplined.

Goltsov’s Personal Encounter

Goltsov also shared a personal experience involving Ngannou that highlighted the difficulty of working with him. Recovering from a nose injury, Goltsov asked Ngannou to spar more carefully. However, the request didn’t seem to resonate.

"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," Goltsov said, emphasizing the challenges of training alongside someone with such an uncompromising style.

A Polarizing Figure

Ngannou’s presence in the gym leaves a lasting impression—both from his sheer physicality and his unyielding approach to sparring. While some might view his intensity as a testament to his competitive spirit, others, like Goltsov, suggest it raises questions about Ngannou’s ability to manage his aggression.

Fight.TV's Take: Ngannou’s Raw, Relentless Fighting Style

Francis Ngannou is, at his core, a raw and brutal fighter. His fighting style is built on overwhelming power and relentless aggression, qualities that have made him one of the most feared heavyweights in MMA. But when a fighter’s entire approach is centered around pure ferocity, it becomes almost impossible to tone that down in the gym. Training for someone like Ngannou isn’t just about technique—it’s about survival.

Athletes who thrive on raw power often struggle to adjust to a more controlled, playful style of sparring. It’s not a lack of discipline or respect—it’s a natural extension of who they are in the cage. For Ngannou, switching gears from the mindset of "fight or be fought" to light technical training is like asking a lion to play nice with its prey. It’s not personal; it’s instinctual.

Goltsov’s experiences reflect this reality. Ngannou’s intense, no-holds-barred approach to sparring isn’t about disrespecting his training partners—it’s about staying true to the fighter he is. And if you’re going to step into the gym with him, you need to be prepared to handle the storm. Training with Ngannou isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s for those who can match his intensity and withstand the heat. In a gym session with “The Predator,” you either rise to his level or get beat up.