Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion and one of the most recognizable athletes of his era, appears set to compete on the highly anticipated French edition of Netflix’s physical competition series Physical 100.
The show’s director and showrunner, Jang Hogi, recently posted sculpted bust images on his production Instagram account teasing the arrival of what he called “the greatest athletes of France,” with two unmistakable physiques pointing to Ngannou and French kickboxing star Cedric Doumbé among the cast.
The post, published under Jang Hogi’s account @physical_pd, carried the caption “100% Physique: France” alongside a French flag, and immediately set off a wave of excitement online.
Fans across Reddit and social media quickly identified the busts, with many describing the lineup as one of the strongest in the franchise’s history.
Physical 100 France, tied to Netflix France and expected to release in 2027, is shaping up to be one of the more prestigious entries in the global expansion of the Korean competition format. The original series, which pits 100 elite athletes against each other in a series of demanding physical challenges, became a worldwide phenomenon on Netflix after its debut. A French edition featuring internationally recognized names like Ngannou represents a significant step in the franchise’s reach.
Since departing the UFC after years as its dominant heavyweight champion, Ngannou has carved out a path largely on his own terms. His story has become as much about business autonomy as it has been about athletic achievement, and he has been direct about what he believes young athletes should understand before placing their trust in any organization.
“MMA is not that new but it’s a new sport that a lot of figh ters get there and then they don’t know what to do,” Ngannou said in recent comments. “But they have to understand that they are on their own. They have to look out for themselves. They have to do their best.”
That message extends to how athletes navigate the promotional machinery built around them. “They don’t have to rely only on promotion or whomever is next to them telling them that they’re going to do everything for them, because at the end of the day everyone in the business cares for himself first before you,” he continued.
Ngannou also addressed what he sees as a power imbalance between athletes and the institutions that platform them. “Most of the time you are just a collateral,” he said. “And if that means they’re going to sacrifice you for their interest there will not be a hesitation. So they should keep that in mind and then make sure that they manage their business properly and then protect themselves.”
Joining Ngannou in the conversation around the French cast is Doumbé, the charismatic and physically imposing kickboxing champion who has built a massive following in France.
The announcement has also sparked broader speculation, with fans calling for appearances by athletes like tennis player Benoît Paire, judoka Teddy Riner, and football legends Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema. One Reddit user suggested that MMA heavyweight Ciryl Gane, who recently starred in a French-language action production on Netflix, could also be in the mix. None of those names have been confirmed.
