Fernand Lopez disputes narrative that Ngannou improved after leaving France

Coach Fernand Lopez strongly refuted the common belief that Francis Ngannou became a better fighter after leaving his MMA Factory gym in Paris for the United States. Lopez pointed out that when Ngannou lost to Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis, he was already training in Las Vegas with an American team. Conversely, when facing potential dismissal from the UFC after two consecutive losses, Ngannou returned to Paris to train with Lopez for the Curtis Blaydes fight, which he won by knockout in seconds. Lopez emphasized that Ngannou also prepared for the Cain Velasquez fight entirely in Paris under his guidance, sparring with Ciryl Gane. Lopez expressed frustration that the two losses during Ngannou's Vegas-based training are attributed to him, while the victories from Paris camps go unnoticed. He also highlighted his role in discovering Ngannou at age 28 when his record was just 1-1 after losing to Zoumana Cisse, and that he believed in Ngannou despite the fighter's difficult situation with documentation issues in France.