Fernand Lopez disputes narrative that Ngannou improved after leaving Paris for USA

Coach Fernand Lopez has strongly refuted the common belief that Francis Ngannou became a better fighter after leaving MMA Factory in Paris for training in the United States. Lopez points out that Ngannou was already based in Las Vegas when he lost to both Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis, suffering two consecutive defeats that nearly led to his UFC release. However, when Ngannou returned to train with Lopez in Paris for the Curtis Blaydes and Cain Velasquez fights, he secured knockout victories and revived his career. Lopez emphasizes that he discovered Ngannou when the fighter was 28 years old with a 1-1 record and developed him into a champion, despite the narrative crediting his later success to American training camps.