Nigerian MMA fighters Israel Adesanya, Kamaru Usman on Sunday congratulated Cameroonian-French colleague Francis Ngannou on becoming the new UFC heavyweight champion.
Ngannou defeated American Stipe Miocic on Saturday to claim the UFC heavyweight championship in Las Vegas.
Taking to Instagram, Adesanya who recently suffered his first defeat shared a video on Instagram of his celebration following Ngannou’s victory.
He said he was inspired by the fact that three Africans hold UFC titles.
He wrote: “3 Kings taking gold back to the land, Africa. This is history!! The stories this can inspire!! I’m inspired. Our stories will be told by us.”
Congratulating the Cameroonian, Usman also wrote on Instagram: “And Then there were 3.”
Ngannou’s victory means Africa now has three UFC champions — Adesanya being middleweight champion and Usman the welterweight champion.
With a five-fight winning streak all by knockout, Ngannou could be set to face former longtime light heavyweight king Jon Jones in Jones’ debut in the heavyweight division.
