Mansour Barnaoui is a Tunisian-born French Mixed Martial Arts whose professional career began in 2011. He competes in the lightweight division of the Bellator MMA and in 2019, he won the title of ‘Lightweight Champion’.
Barnaoui’s history and rise to the point he is now actually riddled with difficulties. However, knowing he was born for greatness, Mansour did not deter in his passion and now, is well on his way to greatness.
Here Are Fast Facts About Mansour Barnaoui You Should Intimate Yourself With
1. The French MMA Fighter was Born in Tunis
Mansour Barnaoui was born on September 20, 1992, in Tunis, Tunisia. 2 weeks after he was born, his family relocated to France where he now competes out of now. He grew up in the care of his mother and 3 brothers.
2. He Lived with his Family in a Small Apartment
When Barnaoui and his family relocated to France, they lived in difficult situations. He and his mother and 3 brothers had to share a small apartment.
3. Mansour Barnaoui Met his Manager when He was Squatting with Friends
32-year-old Mansour started squatting with his friends in the hall of an apartment because he and his friends couldn’t afford to pay for the wrestling room in Vanves. At this point, Mansour had already found an interest in MMA and was looking to horn his skills.
The French fighter was even training under the tutelage of Aziz Mahi who welcomed him into his gym. Aziz ran a gymnasium in the suburbs of Paris and Mansour was a regular there from the age of 14.
4. Mansour Barnaoui has Always Been a Member of the Magnum Club from its Inception
Faradji, Mansour’s friend turned manager first met the 6-foot-tall MMA fighter in the apartment where he lived. He also saw him in the hall where he squatted with his friends. Upon getting to know the Lightweight fighter, he decided to help him and his friends.
Faradji then sourced a place for Barnaoui to train. He finally found slots at the municipal town hall and this was the birth of the Magnum Club. Barnaoui’s membership there dates as far back as its earliest days.
5. Skateboarding Earned Him the Nickname ‘Tarzan’
Growing up, Mansour loved skateboarding and tried to emulate Yamakasi. It was due to this that older members of his neighborhood gave him the nickname ‘Tarzan’. Asides from that nickname, he is also called ‘Afro Samurai’.
6. He Picked M-1 Global Over Cage
Barbaoui was offered a fight against Conor McGregor by the Cage Warriors during his early career. He was going to make about 2000 to 3000 euros if he chose to sign with the Cage Warriors.
Mansour declined the offer and instead signed with M-1 Global where he was offered 10,000 to 15,000 Euros.
7. He won $1 Million and the Road FC Lightweight Championship Title
The Afro Samurai won $1 million on May 18, 2019, at the Road FC 053. The fight that earned him the prize and the Road FC Lightweight Championship was against Sol Kwon. He won in the first round with a rear-naked choke.
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8. Mansour Barnaoui Joined Bellator MMA in 2022
In June 2022, Mansour signed an exclusive deal with the Bellator MMA. By October 29, 2022, he made his debut against Adam Piccoloti.
9. He Made it to the List of the Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix
The one-time Road FC Lightweight title holder was named as one of the top 8 participants in the Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix. As a result of this, he was billed to fight Brent Primus on May 12, 2023, in Paris.
10. Some of Mansour Barnaoui’s Achievements
Through his 14-year-old career, the Tunisian-born French fighter has accomplished quite a lot. Here is a brief list of the fighter’s achievements in his over 20 games:
- Road FC Lightweight Championship
- Road FC $1 Million Dollar Lightweight Tournament
- M-1 Lightweight Championship
- BAMMA World Lightweight Championship
- BAMMA Title Defense
- 100% Fight Lightweight Championship
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