November 29th 2024.
This week at Old Trafford, Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou were spotted engaging in some playful antics on the field. Despite their different sporting backgrounds, the two have formed a close friendship, united by their shared Cameroonian heritage.
Ngannou, a devoted United fan, was in attendance at the stadium on Thursday night to support his team as they faced off against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League. After the game, he joined Onana and his wife on the pitch, posing for photos in the chilly Manchester weather.
In a video making the rounds on social media, the two can be seen playfully sparring, with Ngannou going in for a takedown on the goalkeeper. With Onana pinned, Ngannou jokingly pretends to land some elbow strikes before the two burst into laughter and share a hug.
This isn't the first time a UFC star has been spotted on a football field, as last month Conor McGregor was seen interacting with Arsenal players after a Champions League game. However, this incident led to some controversy and an investigation by the club.
For Onana, this friendly scuffle was a welcome break from the intensity of the game. The goalkeeper had made a crucial save in the dying minutes, preventing Bodo/Glimt from snatching a last-minute equaliser. He had also put on an impressive performance in his team's last game against Ipswich Town, making several crucial saves to help secure a win for new manager Ruben Amorim.
Meanwhile, Ngannou has recently returned to the MMA cage after a long break. He is now fighting for the PFL and in his last match, he secured a first-round knockout win over Renan Ferreira. However, last year he made a brief move to boxing, where he caused a stir by knocking down then-world champion Tyson Fury in the third round. Despite this, Fury ultimately won a controversial victory on the judges' scorecards.
Ngannou's second boxing match, against Anthony Joshua, did not go as well, as he was knocked out in the second round. However, the fighter remains determined to continue pursuing his passion for combat sports, whether it be in the cage or the ring. And with friends like Onana by his side, he knows he always has someone to spar with, both on and off the field.
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