Andre Onana is a brave man for wanting to spar with Francis Ngannou – one of the most terrifying heavyweights of his generation.
The former UFC champion was one of the big names in the stands at Old Trafford on Thursday night to watch Ruben Amorim’s first home game in charge as Manchester United boss. The Red Devils came from behind to beat Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt 3-2 with Onana between the sticks. A Rasmus Hojlund double turned the tables and spirits were high for home supporters. And the mood was good at full time when one eagle-eyed fan captured the moment Cameroonian buddies, Ngannou and Onana, coming to ‘blows’. One observer on X joked that Onana had been ‘flattened’.
Standing on the Old Trafford turf next to the player’s tunnel, both playfully put their hands up before Ngannou throws a couple of fake jabs. Then the 6ft4′ MMA giant goes in full throttle and tackles his friend to the ground. Moments later they both jump up and embrace as people swarm around to capture the moment on film. Ruben Amorim can rest easy there was no injury to his first choice goalkeeper.
In an interview with TNT Sports the current PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Championship heaped praise on his fellow countryman, naming him Man of the Match.
He said: “It was a good game. We had fun. There was a lot of action. Yes, it’s my first time here (at Old Trafford]) It was a very good experience, and then we have a victory. He had a great game, even though he took a yellow card for free. I think that the yellow card was for free. But he had a really good game. He was the man of the game.”