TLDR
- Francis Ngannou met streamer IShowSpeed pitchside at the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal on January 18, 2026
- Speed told Ngannou he wanted to learn boxing and asked for advice from the former UFC heavyweight champion
- Ngannou warned Speed that fighting hurts, then demonstrated with a light body punch that instantly dropped the streamer
- The moment went viral on social media, with Speed’s own account sharing the video
- Speed joked about getting revenge and said Ngannou would teach him to fight properly one day
Sources: Bloody Elbow | Fightful | Yardbarker | MMA Junkie
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou sent popular streamer IShowSpeed to the ground with a single body punch during the African Cup of Nations final on January 18, 2026. The encounter between the combat sports star and the internet personality was captured on video and quickly went viral.
Ngannou and IShowSpeed met pitchside before the AFCON final match between Morocco and Senegal. The two began talking about boxing, a sport Speed expressed interest in learning.
Speed Asks for Boxing Advice
“I want to learn how to fight,” Speed told Ngannou during their conversation. The streamer clarified that while he already knew some basics, he wanted proper training from someone with real experience.
Ngannou, who has competed at the highest levels of both MMA and professional boxing, initially asked if Speed was serious about the request. When the influencer confirmed his interest, the Cameroonian fighter warned him about the physical reality of combat sports.
“It hurts,” Ngannou told Speed before the demonstration. The former UFC champion then threw what he later described as a “little” punch to Speed’s midsection.
The body shot immediately sent Speed to the ground, doubled over from the impact. Ngannou laughed at the moment, saying “That’s a little bit of what it looks like.”
Viral Moment Captures Ngannou’s Power
The clip was shared by Speed’s official account, Speedy HQ, on social media with the caption claiming Speed had been “knocked out” by Ngannou. The video quickly spread across multiple platforms, highlighting the power difference between a professional fighter and an entertainer.
Speed recovered quickly from the punch and got back to his feet. “I can take that,” the streamer insisted after standing up.
The two ended their interaction on good terms, shaking hands and bonding over their shared respect for soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo. Speed then joked about the encounter, telling Ngannou, “One day, you’re going to teach me how to fight, and I will get my revenge.”
Ngannou is a former UFC heavyweight champion who left the organization after a contract dispute with president Dana White. He transitioned to professional boxing in 2023, fighting Tyson Fury in his debut bout and later facing Anthony Joshua.
The fighter is now signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and is preparing for his return to competition in 2025. His boxing career showcased his punching power on the biggest stage, going the distance with Fury despite having no professional boxing experience.
Speed has previously dabbled in combat sports entertainment through a series called “Speed Goes Pro,” where he tried his hand at wrestling. The streamer is known for attending major sporting events and creating viral content with athletes and celebrities.
After the punch, Speed continued streaming from the AFCON final, maintaining his usual energetic presence at the match. Both Ngannou and Speed laughed off the incident, with neither showing any hard feelings about the demonstration of heavyweight power.
