Fernand Lopez

Lopez was born in 1978{{Cite web|last=Gendron|first=Guillaume|title=Fernand Lopez Owonyebe : Zéro tracas|url=https://www.liberation.fr/sports/2016/09/26/fernand-lopez-owonyebe-zero-tracas_1511247/|access-date=31 March 2021|website=Libération|language=fr}} in a small village in Lekié and grew up in Yaoundé. His father was a college professor and his mother was a high school teacher.

In his youth his father signed him up for lessons in combat sports such as Taekwondo, Boxing, Judo and Wrestling to defend himself from bullies.

In 1997, Lopez immigrated to France where he worked as an Electrical Engineer. On the side he would attend sports science classes at INSEP while playing rugby in the Pro D2 league. However a neck injury sidelined him in rugby and he had to have surgery to treat it, rendering him unable to move his neck for three years. During this period, Lopez discover to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) leading him to gain an interest in mixed martial arts.

After retiring as a professional fighter, Lopez became an MMA coach at Free Fight Academy for a few years before deciding to establish his own gym. In 2013 Lopez and his business partner, a police officer, opened a gym called 'Cross Fight' which was later renamed 'MMA Factory'.

Lopez joined Mathieu Nicourt's Free Fight Academy where he initially trained in BJJ. Once his neck recovered, he resumed training in other combat sports like Wrestling and Boxing.

On 11 March 2006, Lopez made his professional MMA debut after a year of training. The bout took place at Xtreme Gladiators 2 where he submitted Cedric Deschamps via choke in the first round.{{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=XG 2 - Xtreme Gladiators 2|url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/XG-2-Xtreme-Gladiators-2-3790|access-date=31 March 2021|website=Sherdog}}

Lopez's professional MMA career lasted for four years from 2006 to 2010.{{cite web|last1=Dundas|first1=Chad|title=From Homeless to UFC's Next Big Thing: Francis Ngannou's Amazing Journey|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2746156-from-homeless-to-ufcs-next-big-thing-francis-ngannous-amazing-journey|website=Bleacher Report|language=en}} He fought in various promotions such as M1 Global and Shooto, where his final record was ten wins and seven losses.{{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=Lopez Owonyebe MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Lopez-Owonyebe-15868|access-date=31 March 2021|website=Sherdog}}

He is Sports Director, and manages the MMA Factory with Benjamin Sarfati as President. Together they create an ecosystem that allows them to push their fighters to the most prestigious organizations including the Ultimate Fighting Championship. {{Cite web |last=Lachaux |first=Valentin |date=2022-09-30 |title=Fernand Lopez - Benjamin Sarfati : l'interview croisée sur le MMA français |url=https://sportricolore.fr/mma-fernand-lopez-et-benjamin-sarfati-interview-croisee/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=sportricolore |language=fr-FR}}

Initially this academy had two students, but grew very fast to become the biggest gym in France with over 600 students.{{Cite web|date=24 February 2018|title=Interview Fernand Lopez : boss du MMA Factory, head-coach de Ngannou|url=https://lasueur.com/interview-fernand-lopez-24-2-2018|access-date=31 March 2021|website=La Sueur|language=fr-FR}} MMA Factory was one of only three gyms to receive sponsorship from Reebok, with the other two being AKA and SBG.

His most notable student was Francis Ngannou, who became the UFC Heavyweight Champion in 2021 after defeating Stipe Miocic in a rematch at UFC 260 where Fernand trained Ngannou with no cost and allowed him sleep at the gym at no cost when Ngannou started training in Lopez's gym.{{Cite web |date=29 March 2021 |title=MMA : le parcours hors-norme de Francis NGannou, nouveau champion du monde des poids lourds |url=https://www.francebleu.fr/sports/tous-les-sports/mma-le-parcours-hors-norme-de-francis-n-gannou-nouveau-champion-du-monde-poids-lourds-1617042066 |access-date=31 March 2021 |website=France Bleu |language=fr}}{{Cite web|last=Coleman|first=Joe|date=28 March 2021|title=New UFC champ Ngannou slept rough on way to top, loved Mike Tyson and packs a punch|url=https://talksport.com/sport/mma/689367/francis-ngannou-story-mike-tyson-ufc-260-ko-miocic/|access-date=31 March 2021|website=talkSPORT|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Lesage|first=Julien|date=28 March 2021|title=Francis Ngannou, ex-SDF et champion du monde de MMA : "Il sait ce qu'il a enduré pour y parvenir"|url=https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/francis-ngannou-ex-sdf-et-champion-du-monde-de-mma-il-sait-ce-quil-a-endure-pour-y-parvenir-28-03-2021-C36RKIP4PNG6BBWRDWTARJMW6Q.php|access-date=31 March 2021|website=leparisien.fr|language=fr-FR}} The relationship between Lopez and Ngannou has deteriorated after that, with Lopez stating that Ngannou has ego problems and had refused to pay gym membership fees after he had achieved success.{{Cite web|date=13 October 2020|title="I Feel Like You Have an Ego Problem" - Francis Ngannou's Coach Drops Insider Details|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/mma-ufc-news-i-feel-like-you-have-an-ego-problem-francis-ngannous-coach-drops-insider-details/|access-date=30 March 2021|website=EssentiallySports|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Lynch|first=James|date=11 February 2021|title=Fernand Lopez: Traduction de l'interview "Line Movement"|url=https://www.mmadeferlante.com/62843/fernand-lopez-traduction-de-linterview-line-movement/|access-date=31 March 2021|website=MMA DEFERLANTE|language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web|date=11 November 2021|title=Coach Fernand Lopez Claims Ngannou Refused To Pay Gym Membership|url=https://www.mmanews.com/2021/11/ngannou-refused-gym-membership-fees/|access-date=12 November 2021|website=MMA News|language=en-US}} Ngannou moved to the United States to train at Xtreme Couture.{{Cite web|date=24 March 2021|title=Who Are Francis Ngannou's Coaches and Training Partners?|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-mma-news-who-are-francis-ngannou-coaches-and-training-partners/|access-date=30 March 2021|website=EssentiallySports|language=en-US}}

• Francis Ngannou - former UFC Heavyweight Champion{{Cite web|last=Dundas|first=Chad|title=From Homeless to UFC's Next Big Thing: Francis Ngannou's Amazing Journey|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2746156-from-homeless-to-ufcs-next-big-thing-francis-ngannous-amazing-journey|access-date=30 March 2021|website=Bleacher Report|language=en}}
• Ciryl Gane - former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion
• Ion Cuțelaba{{cite web |last1=Rigaud |first1=Robin |title=UFC Sunrise : Ion Cutelaba s'attaque à une légende ! |url=https://www.mma-factory.fr/article/ufc-sunrise-ion-cutelaba-sattaque-a-une-legende |website=MMAFACTORY |language=fr-FR }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Taylor Lapilus{{cite web |title=Former UFC fighter Taylor Lapilus has a goal to return to the promotion in 2020 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/12/taylor-lapilus-goal-ufc-return-in-2020 |website=MMA Junkie |date=12 December 2019}}
• Christian M'Pumbu{{cite web |title=Christian M'Pumbu élève au MMAFACTORY |url=https://www.mma-factory.fr/article/eleves/christian-mpumbu |website=MMAFACTORY |language=fr-FR |date=1 April 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Nassourdine Imavov
• Jérôme Le Banner{{Cite web |last=SUBAKA |first=John |date=2019-07-29 |title=Jérôme Le Banner 46 ans remporte son combat de kickboxing par KO ! - Arts Martiaux Mixtes |url=https://www.actumma.com/jerome-le-banner-46-ans-remporte-son-combat-de-kickboxing-par-ko/16689 |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=ActuMMA |language=fr-FR}}
• Cédric Doumbé{{Cite web |last=Calhoun |first=Curtis |date=2023-10-02 |title=Cédric Doumbé Makes Scathing Allegations Against Former Coach After Statement Win At PFL Europe 3 |url=https://www.mmanews.com/news/cedric-doumbe-scathing-allegations-former-coach-pfl |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=MMA News {{!}} UFC News, Results & Interviews |language=en-us}}

Fernand Lopez has been married to Charlotte Dipanda since April 15, 2023.{{Cite web |last=ADANLE |first=Angèle M. |date=2023-04-16 |title=Cameroun: mariage civil de la chanteuse Charlotte Dipanda et Fernand Lopez |url=https://beninwebtv.com/cameroun-mariage-civil-de-la-chanteuse-charlotte-dipanda-et-fernand-lopez/ |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=Benin Web TV |language=fr-FR}}

The book Training Camp: “MMA, in the secrets of the battle of the titans Gane VS Nganou”, published in March 2023, is co-written by Lopez and Geoffrey Le Guilcher. This work relates the journey and the clash of Lopez's two champions: Gane and Ngannou for the title of world heavyweight champion at UFC 270 in 2022. Lopez also addresses the technical details of the training camps.{{Cite web |title=Training Camp. MMA : Dans les secrets du combat des titans - GANE vs NGANNOU - Fernand Lopez, Geoffrey Le Guilcher |url=https://actualitte.com/livres/1139831/training-camp-mma-dans-les-secrets-du-combat-des-titans-gane-vs-ngannou-fernand-lopez-geoffrey-le-guilcher-9782757605332 |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=ActuaLitté.com |language=fr-FR}}

Fernand Lopez obtained a degree in electrical engineering but very quickly became interested in sport. He graduated from the National Institute of Sport in sports performance and physical preparation and State Diplomas in four combat disciplines where he is one of the external speakers as part of training at INSEP.

Fernand Lopez the “Management Factory”, an athlete career management agency, Fight Management College, a training school specializing in the supervision of combat sports.

Cédric Doumbé leveled accusations of domestic violence against Fernand Lopez following his victory at PFL Europe 3. He claimed to have witnessed an incident while on the phone with Lopez's ex-partner. Several statements and revelations were made by the key individuals on social media during this period. Fernand Lopez acknowledged engaging in violent behavior towards his ex-girlfriend, offering apologies.{{Cite web |title=Fernand Lopez admet des actes de violences conjugales : " J'ai levé la main sur mon ex-conjointe " |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Mma/Actualites/Fernand-lopez-admet-des-actes-de-violences-conjugales-j-ai-leve-la-main-sur-mon-ex-conjointe/1422886 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=L'Équipe |language=fr}}{{Cite web |last=Parisien |first=Le |date=2023-10-07 |title=" Première touche, je suis KO " : l'ex-femme de Fernand Lopez décrit les violences dont elle a été victime |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/mma-premiere-touche-je-suis-ko-lex-femme-de-fernand-lopez-decrit-les-violences-dont-elle-a-ete-victime-07-10-2023-PZSKCDHO45DVXDERDEGRQRKXYE.php |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=leparisien.fr |language=fr-FR}}

{{MMArecordbox

|draws=

|nc=

|ko-wins=4

|ko-losses=6

|sub-wins=3

|sub-losses=1

|dec-wins=3

|dec-losses=

|dq-wins=

|dq-losses=

|other-wins=

|other-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|10–7

|Matteo Piran

|TKO (punches)

| ADFC - Round 2

|{{dts|2010|October|22|format=dmy}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:20

|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|9–7

|Patrick Vallee

|KO (front kick)

|100% Fight - VIP

|{{dts|2010|June|19|format=dmy}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:53

|Aubervilliers, France

|

|-

|{{yes2}} Win

|align=center|9–6

| Eric Cebarec

| Decision (unanimous)

| 100% Fight - VIP

|{{dts|2010|June|19|format=dmy}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|5:00

|Aubervilliers, France

|

|-

|{{yes2}} Win

|align=center|8–6

|Christophe Daffreville

|Decision (unanimous)

|PFC 2 - Pancrase Fighting Championship 2

|{{dts|2010|April|17|format=dmy}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|7–6

|Patrick Vallee

|KO (head kick)

|100% Fight - 100 Percent Fight 2

|{{dts|2010|March|13|format=dmy}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:40

|Paris, France

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|7–5

|Danijel Dzebic

|Submission (heel hook)

|M-1 Selection 2010: Western Europe Round 1

|{{dts|2010|February|5|format=dmy}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:59

|Hilversum, North Holland, Netherlands

|

|-

|{{yes2}} Win

|align=center|7–4

|Nicolas M'Bog

|Decision (unanimous)

|PFC - Challengers 1

|{{dts|2009|December|6|format=dmy}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|5:00

|Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

|

|-

|{{yes2}} Win

|align=center|6–4

|Karim Mammar

|TKO (punches)

|Shooto - Belgium

|{{dts|2009|June|27|format=dmy}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:12

|Charleroi, Wallonia, Belgium

|

|-

|{{yes2}} Win

|align=center|5–4

|Cedric Severac

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|PMKE - Pro MMA Kempo Elite

|{{dts|2009|June|06|format=dmy}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:58

|Lyon, France

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|4–4

|Igor Araujo

|KO (knee)

|Yamabushi - Combat Sport Night 5

|{{dts|2009|May|2|format=dmy}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|1:29

|Geneva, Switzerland

|

|-

|{{yes2}} Win

|align=center|4–3

|Wojciech Jamrozik

|TKO

|PK - Pro Kumite

|{{dts|2009|February|21|format=dmy}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:03

|Swindon, Wiltshire, England

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|3–3

|Vasily Krilov

|TKO (punches)

|M-1 MFC: Fedor Emelianenko Cup

|{{dts|2008|May|15|format=dmy}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|N/A

|Russia

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|3–2

|Kamil Uygun

|TKO (punches)

|M-1: Slamm

|{{dts|2008|March|2|format=dmy}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|N/A

|Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands.

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|3–1

|Delivrance Nsomboli

|Submission

|MYT - Mix-fight Yveslines Tournament

|{{dts|2007|December|8|format=dmy}}

|align=center|N/A

|align=center|N/A

|France

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|2–1

|Aziz Karaoglu

|TKO

|OC - Masters Fight Night 6

|{{dts|2006|November|11|format=dmy}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|N/A

|Wuppertal, Germany

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|2–0

|Ali Yilmaz

|TKO

|OC 5 - Outsider Cup 5

|{{dts|2006|May|13|format=dmy}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:31

|Duisburg, Germany

|

|-

|{{yes2}} Win

|align=center|1–0

|Cedric Deshamps

|Submission (choke)

|XG 2 - Xtreme Gladiators 2

|{{dts|2006|March|11|format=dmy}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|N/A

|Paris, France

|

{{end}}

{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lopez, Fernand}}

Category:Living people

Category:French male mixed martial artists

Category:Cameroonian emigrants to France

Category:Cameroonian practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:French practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:Cameroonian male taekwondo practitioners

Category:French male taekwondo practitioners

Category:Cameroonian male judoka

Category:French male judoka

Category:1978 births

Category:Cameroonian male mixed martial artists

Category:Middleweight mixed martial artists

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing taekwondo

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing judo

Category:Mixed martial arts trainers

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu